I commented briefly, and carefully, on this tweet a couple of days ago. But it's been gnawing away at the back of my mind, and I'm going to try again. Thread. >>>
There is, obviously and necessarily, a great deal of sensitivity about comparisons between Zionism and fascism. There is a necessary reluctance to make that comparison. >>>
It's precisely this issue - of how much, and how, you can criticise Zionism and the Zionist state - that is causing so much trouble for @UKLabour at present. >>>
I'm not suggesting, of course, that Netanyahu made this post merely to embarrass the British Labour party, I'd be surprised if it's high on his radar. >>>
Nevertheless, Netanyahu knows the sensitivity of his words. The #IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism states:
"Contemporary examples of antisemitism... include... Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis"
holocaustremembrance.com/working-defini…
"Contemporary examples of antisemitism... include... Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis"
holocaustremembrance.com/working-defini…
Netanyahu, in making an openly, clearly, and obviously deliberately fascistic statement in fascistic language clearly knows this.
No-one can make an honest comment on Netanyahu's post without recognising that fact, and, consequently, without making a statement which @theIHRA definition defines as anti-semitic. >>>
Bibi is, then, deliberately trolling all people of good will everywhere in the world. If we speak truth unto power, we're 'anti-semitic'. >>>
This cannot be what @TheIHRA intended; they clearly didn't intend to make a smokescreen from the ashes of their ancestors behind which the government of Israel could flaunt its unacceptable policies. >>>
I think the onus is now on @theIHRA to change their definition. Yes, there must be extreme sensitivity to accusing Israel of fascism. But when Israeli politicians openly espouse fascist positions, is cannot be antisemitic to say so. /ends
@threadreaderapp , kindly unroll, there's a good bot.
