Steven Spielberg Rails Against Anti-Semitism & “History Repeating Itself”

[Social Media]

Steven Spielberg's Powerful Speech on Anti-Semitism and Humanity's Collective Responsibility

 

Renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg delivered a poignant and stirring speech at a recent event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Spielberg-founded Shoah Foundation. Addressing a full USC ballroom, including over 30 Holocaust survivors, Spielberg's words resonated deeply as he reflected on the enduring struggle against prejudice, discrimination, and hate.

 

Quoting the famous adage, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," Spielberg expressed his growing concern that humanity may be on the verge of repeating history. He lamented the possibility of having to once again fight for the right to be Jewish, underscoring the persistent threat of anti-Semitism and the resurgence of extremist ideologies.

 

Drawing from personal experiences and historical narratives, Spielberg emphasized the importance of empathy and understanding in combating intolerance. He shared anecdotes from his childhood, recounting encounters with Holocaust survivors and witnessing acts of anti-Semitism, both verbal and physical. These experiences left an indelible mark on Spielberg, shaping his commitment to preserving the memories of survivors and ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

 

Spielberg's speech also touched on the contemporary geopolitical landscape, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He condemned acts of violence perpetrated by terrorists while also acknowledging the humanitarian crisis affecting innocent civilians in Gaza. Spielberg's call for peace, understanding, and mutual respect underscored his belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion.

 

Throughout his remarks, Spielberg highlighted the vital role of the Shoah Foundation in preserving the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and bearing witness to acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. With over 56,000 recorded testimonies, the foundation serves as a repository of historical truth and a beacon of hope for future generations.

 

Spielberg's speech concluded with a poignant tribute to Holocaust survivor Celina Biniaz, whose resilience and courage exemplify the spirit of survival and the pursuit of justice. As Spielberg introduced Biniaz to the audience, he underscored the importance of her voice and the voices of all survivors in shaping a more just and compassionate world.

 

In essence, Spielberg's speech served as a powerful reminder of humanity's collective responsibility to confront hatred and intolerance wherever it may arise. Through empathy, education, and a commitment to truth, Spielberg urged listeners to uphold the values of peace, understanding, and human dignity for generations to come.

 

27.03.24

Source

 

 

[pegman]

This is his response to the slaughter and starvation of children happening in Gaza? If the guy had an ounce of honesty he would've stated that what is taking place today is reminiscent of what the Nazis did to the Jews starting in 1930s Germany. 

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, pegman said:

This is his response to the slaughter and starvation of children happening in Gaza? If the guy had an ounce of honesty he would've stated that what is taking place today is reminiscent of what the Nazis did to the Jews starting in 1930s Germany. 

Yes this is what he says because its not true that this is reminiscent of what the Nazis did to the Jews starting in 1930s Germany.

[Chomper Higgot]

Spielberg tossed dead cat onto the table.

 

 

[JonnyF]

Spielberg throwing truth bombs. 

 

The rise in anti semitism is indeed extremely worrying and was happening long before Israel reacted to the horrific terrorist attack on their citizens in October. 

 

The fact that some are trying to use Israel's response as justification for even more anti-semitism is as predictable as it is disgraceful. 

[riclag]

It should be mandatory for all UN & foreign govt dignitaries to view

Schindlers List!

Never forget !

You said something,Its about time Mr. Spielberg.

 

imop

[spidermike007]

While much of what he says is reasonable and good, it also has to be said that objecting to the Israeli and the IDF's disproportionate response to the Gaza terrorist acts is not a form of antisemitism, and should not be interpreted as such. Too often the media portrays people who are sympathetic to the women and children who are being slaughtered in Gaza as being anti-Semitic.

 

It is not! As an American Jew, who has railed against much Israeli policy for decades now, I can say definitively and positively, it is not an act of anti-Semitism to be critical of Israeli policy. 

 

That doesn't mean I support the terrorists on any level. I despise them and I wish them dead, but there has to be some reasonable proportion and the IDF is not demonstrating that on any level. 

[1duckyboy]

There is no separation of state and church in Israel, the same as with many Islamic countries. Criticize the Israeli government and you're accused/labeled as an anti-Semite. Now Israel is implementing it's "final solution" to the "Gaza problem". Hypocrisy.

[nobodysfriend]

On 3/27/2024 at 4:29 AM, Social Media said:

Spielberg emphasized the importance of empathy and understanding in combating intolerance.

 

He should have told this to Nethanyahu directly .

 

On 3/27/2024 at 4:29 AM, Social Media said:

Spielberg, shaping his commitment to preserving the memories of survivors and ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

 

Nothing is forever ...

The memory of the Holocaust will slowly fade away , overshadowed by the more recent atrocities ...

 

On 3/27/2024 at 4:29 AM, Social Media said:

Spielberg's call for peace, understanding, and mutual respect underscored his belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion.

 

Good , only a pity that the current israeli government does not apply this to the palestinians .

 

On 3/27/2024 at 4:29 AM, Social Media said:

 

In essence, Spielberg's speech served as a powerful reminder of humanity's collective responsibility to confront hatred and intolerance wherever it may arise.

 

So , stop the war NOW .

Edited March 28 by nobodysfriend

[Tarteso]

Since Abraham received the order from his God Yahweh “the warrior” who ordered the invasion of the lands of Canaan to conquer the current land of Palestine, were the Tribes was taken captives, expelled or massacred. 
The Jews have been expelled since the beginning of history and specifically since the 12th century. from 100 countries such as France, Italy or Spain have forced their exodus and expulsion for racist and religious reasons. The Jewish people have never recognized the Palestinian State drawn up by the UN... The goal is to conquer those lands again and now they have a cause; the attacks of October 7.

Now they are making a mistake again with the extermination of the Palestinians, justifying that Hamas invaded and murdered in their lands. This is a race that is uncomfortable for the existence of all the Muslim countries that surround it.

Edited March 28 by Tarteso

[Grusa]

Not all Israelis are Jews, not all Jews are Israeli.

 

I have many Jewish friends and aquaintances, mostly very nice people.

 

I have had a few encounters with Israelis, mostly not very nice people.

 

So far as Gaza, and the greater Middle East problems, are concerned:- a plague on all your houses, you are all as bad as each other...... and all over your imaginary friend and his so-called prophets.

[nobodysfriend]

On 3/27/2024 at 8:37 AM, JonnyF said:

The fact that some are trying to use Israel's response as justification for even more anti-semitism is as predictable as it is disgraceful. 

 

Disgraceful ...?

 

What the israeli government does is disgraceful .

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/

Video shows un­armed men in Gaza shot dead, buried by Is­raeli bull­doz­er

CAIR calls for UN probe of unarmed Palestinians killed by Israeli army

Israeli attacks kills women, children in Rafah; famine threatens north Gaza: UN

UN expert on Palestine says she has received threats over her work

‘Reasonable grounds’ to believe Israel committing ‘genocide’

 

Just from today ...

 

CNN :

 

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2024/01/middleeast/gaza-hospitals-destruction-investigation-intl-cmd/

 

Israeli forces surround two more Gaza hospitals, Palestinian Red Crescent says

Israeli military forced journalists and health workers to strip in Gaza hospital raid, eyewitnesses say

 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/04/israel-50-years-occupation-abuses

 

Fifty years after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, it controls these areas through repression, institutionalized discrimination, and systematic abuses of the Palestinian population’s rights, Human Rights Watch said today. 

 

At least five categories of major violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law characterize the occupation: unlawful killings; forced displacement; abusive detention; the closure of the Gaza Strip and other unjustified restrictions on movement; and the development of settlements, along with the accompanying discriminatory policies that disadvantage Palestinians. 

 

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/israel-and-palestine

 

Israeli Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment of Palestinians

Israeli authorities apply Israeli civil law to settlers but govern West Bank Palestinians under harsh military law. In so doing, they deny them basic due process and try them in military courts with a nearly 100 percent conviction rate against Palestinians.

As of December 1, Israel held 7,677 Palestinians in custody for “security” offenses, according to Israeli Prison Services figures. This includes 200 Palestinian children, as of November 6, according to the Palestinian prisoner rights group Addameer. Israel incarcerates many Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) inside Israel, complicating family visits and violating international humanitarian law’s prohibition against their transfer outside occupied territory.

 

I am not pro palestinian , not pro israel either ...

 

But when I see all the Israelies ( lies ) and their poor attempts to justify their genocidal actions , I start to think that they are have no empathy , no limits in their desire to destroy , to kill ... the same monsters as the Nazis were ...

 

 

And now Nethanjahu , the liar , https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7A7201/

wants to finish the palestinian " occupation " of Gaza ... the " endloesung " , the palestinian holocaust .

 

https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-settlements-gaza

 

'Cashing in on Genocide': Israeli Firm Pitches Beachfront Real Estate in Leveled Gaza

 

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement from a company notorious for building in the occupied West Bank.

 

Palestine defenders this week condemned a proposal by an Israeli real estate developer specializing in the construction of illegal settlements to build beachfront homes for Jewish colonists over the bombed-out ruins of Gaza.

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement published by Harey Zahav—an Israeli company notorious for building settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank—that drew international attention following last week's Practical Preparation for Gaza Settlement Conference in Tel Aviv.

The ad depicts an artist's rendering of luxury homes superimposed over an actual photograph of a Gaza neighborhood destroyed by Israeli attacks—which have killed nearly 20,000 people while displacing over 85% of the embattled strip's 2.3 million people since early October.

 

pp

 

I think , if Israel flattens Rafah with it's 1.5 mio refugees , then Israel should be sanctioned by the international community , just like Iran , Russia, North Korea .

Edited March 28 by nobodysfriend

[riclag]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

Disgraceful ...?

 

What the israeli government does is disgraceful .

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/

Video shows un­armed men in Gaza shot dead, buried by Is­raeli bull­doz­er

CAIR calls for UN probe of unarmed Palestinians killed by Israeli army

Israeli attacks kills women, children in Rafah; famine threatens north Gaza: UN

UN expert on Palestine says she has received threats over her work

‘Reasonable grounds’ to believe Israel committing ‘genocide’

 

Just from today ...

 

CNN :

 

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2024/01/middleeast/gaza-hospitals-destruction-investigation-intl-cmd/

 

Israeli forces surround two more Gaza hospitals, Palestinian Red Crescent says

Israeli military forced journalists and health workers to strip in Gaza hospital raid, eyewitnesses say

 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/04/israel-50-years-occupation-abuses

 

Fifty years after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, it controls these areas through repression, institutionalized discrimination, and systematic abuses of the Palestinian population’s rights, Human Rights Watch said today. 

 

At least five categories of major violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law characterize the occupation: unlawful killings; forced displacement; abusive detention; the closure of the Gaza Strip and other unjustified restrictions on movement; and the development of settlements, along with the accompanying discriminatory policies that disadvantage Palestinians. 

 

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/israel-and-palestine

 

Israeli Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment of Palestinians

Israeli authorities apply Israeli civil law to settlers but govern West Bank Palestinians under harsh military law. In so doing, they deny them basic due process and try them in military courts with a nearly 100 percent conviction rate against Palestinians.

As of December 1, Israel held 7,677 Palestinians in custody for “security” offenses, according to Israeli Prison Services figures. This includes 200 Palestinian children, as of November 6, according to the Palestinian prisoner rights group Addameer. Israel incarcerates many Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) inside Israel, complicating family visits and violating international humanitarian law’s prohibition against their transfer outside occupied territory.

 

I am not pro palestinian , not pro israel either ...

 

But when I see all the Israelies ( lies ) and their poor attempts to justify their genocidal actions , I start to think that they are have no empathy , no limits in their desire to destroy , to kill ... the same monsters as the Nazis were ...

 

 

And now Nethanjahu , the liar , https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7A7201/

wants to finish the palestinian " occupation " of Gaza ... the " endloesung " , the palestinian holocaust .

 

https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-settlements-gaza

 

'Cashing in on Genocide': Israeli Firm Pitches Beachfront Real Estate in Leveled Gaza

 

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement from a company notorious for building in the occupied West Bank.

 

Palestine defenders this week condemned a proposal by an Israeli real estate developer specializing in the construction of illegal settlements to build beachfront homes for Jewish colonists over the bombed-out ruins of Gaza.

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement published by Harey Zahav—an Israeli company notorious for building settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank—that drew international attention following last week's Practical Preparation for Gaza Settlement Conference in Tel Aviv.

The ad depicts an artist's rendering of luxury homes superimposed over an actual photograph of a Gaza neighborhood destroyed by Israeli attacks—which have killed nearly 20,000 people while displacing over 85% of the embattled strip's 2.3 million people since early October.

 

pp

 

I think , if Israel flattens Rafah with it's 1.5 mio refugees , then Israel should be sanctioned by the international community , just like Iran , Russia, North Korea .

I have an idea ! 
Hamas return all of the hostages. afterward as a sign of goodwill they commit mass suicide  upon themselves .

 

This willingness to sacrifice or martyr  one’s terrorist group will truly be unmatched by any diplomacy going forward!

 

The religion of hamas lives in a barbaric state of consciousness!

[BangkokHank]

Poor Jews. All they want is to be able to commit genocide with impunity, and for NO reason, people hate them!

[transam]

2 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

Poor Jews. All they want is to be able to commit genocide with impunity, and for NO reason, people hate them!

Oh really, when was that then......?  

[placnx]

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

Disgraceful ...?

 

What the israeli government does is disgraceful .

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/

Video shows un­armed men in Gaza shot dead, buried by Is­raeli bull­doz­er

CAIR calls for UN probe of unarmed Palestinians killed by Israeli army

Israeli attacks kills women, children in Rafah; famine threatens north Gaza: UN

UN expert on Palestine says she has received threats over her work

‘Reasonable grounds’ to believe Israel committing ‘genocide’

 

Just from today ...

 

CNN :

 

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2024/01/middleeast/gaza-hospitals-destruction-investigation-intl-cmd/

 

Israeli forces surround two more Gaza hospitals, Palestinian Red Crescent says

Israeli military forced journalists and health workers to strip in Gaza hospital raid, eyewitnesses say

 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/04/israel-50-years-occupation-abuses

 

Fifty years after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, it controls these areas through repression, institutionalized discrimination, and systematic abuses of the Palestinian population’s rights, Human Rights Watch said today. 

 

At least five categories of major violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law characterize the occupation: unlawful killings; forced displacement; abusive detention; the closure of the Gaza Strip and other unjustified restrictions on movement; and the development of settlements, along with the accompanying discriminatory policies that disadvantage Palestinians. 

 

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/israel-and-palestine

 

Israeli Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment of Palestinians

Israeli authorities apply Israeli civil law to settlers but govern West Bank Palestinians under harsh military law. In so doing, they deny them basic due process and try them in military courts with a nearly 100 percent conviction rate against Palestinians.

As of December 1, Israel held 7,677 Palestinians in custody for “security” offenses, according to Israeli Prison Services figures. This includes 200 Palestinian children, as of November 6, according to the Palestinian prisoner rights group Addameer. Israel incarcerates many Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) inside Israel, complicating family visits and violating international humanitarian law’s prohibition against their transfer outside occupied territory.

 

I am not pro palestinian , not pro israel either ...

 

But when I see all the Israelies ( lies ) and their poor attempts to justify their genocidal actions , I start to think that they are have no empathy , no limits in their desire to destroy , to kill ... the same monsters as the Nazis were ...

 

 

And now Nethanjahu , the liar , https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7A7201/

wants to finish the palestinian " occupation " of Gaza ... the " endloesung " , the palestinian holocaust .

 

https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-settlements-gaza

 

'Cashing in on Genocide': Israeli Firm Pitches Beachfront Real Estate in Leveled Gaza

 

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement from a company notorious for building in the occupied West Bank.

 

Palestine defenders this week condemned a proposal by an Israeli real estate developer specializing in the construction of illegal settlements to build beachfront homes for Jewish colonists over the bombed-out ruins of Gaza.

"A house on the beach is not a dream," reads an advertisement published by Harey Zahav—an Israeli company notorious for building settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank—that drew international attention following last week's Practical Preparation for Gaza Settlement Conference in Tel Aviv.

The ad depicts an artist's rendering of luxury homes superimposed over an actual photograph of a Gaza neighborhood destroyed by Israeli attacks—which have killed nearly 20,000 people while displacing over 85% of the embattled strip's 2.3 million people since early October.

 

pp

 

I think , if Israel flattens Rafah with it's 1.5 mio refugees , then Israel should be sanctioned by the international community , just like Iran , Russia, North Korea .

What they have done is genocide, but will Netahyahu, Ben Gvir, Smotrich, Gallant, et al ever face justice? It would take severe sanctions for the bubble around the Israeli public to pop, so that they wake up the horrid crimes that many among them have been committing for the last 6 months, not to mention their forbears in the last 100 years.

[riclag]

37 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

Poor Jews. All they want is to be able to commit genocide with impunity, and for NO reason, people hate them!

Looking over your shoulder for thousands of years gets tiresome

after awhile, i imagine .

A sane & responsible society would want to know who allowed the tunnels in Gaza to be built , without anyone questioning why!

 

imop

[candide]

4 hours ago, riclag said:

Looking over your shoulder for thousands of years gets tiresome

after awhile, i imagine .

A sane & responsible society would want to know who allowed the tunnels in Gaza to be built , without anyone questioning why!

 

imop

There are lots of questions to be asked, among others to the guy who said “Anyone who wants to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state needs to support strengthening Hamas.” and allowed Qatar to finance Hamas.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-funded-hamas-claims-eu-top-diplomat-josep-borrell/#:~:text=“Hamas was financed by the,by Spanish newspaper El País.

[Jingthing]

So predictable that a topic like this would bring some of the usual suspect vile Jew haters to the surface. It's not like they didn't hate Jews or were silent about that before Gaza. They just feel even more emboldened now knowing they will find more support. Spielberg can't win. He's one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, he has a lot to say about Jew hating, but to Jew haters he's just another rich Jew target of their ancient social disease.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

So predictable that a topic like this would bring some of the usual suspect vile Jew haters to the surface. It's not like they didn't hate Jews or were silent about that before Gaza. They just feel even more emboldened now knowing they will find more support. Spielberg can't win. He's one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, he has a lot to say about Jew hating, but to Jew haters he's just another rich Jew target of their ancient social disease.

Oddly many of those supporting the view ‘There are good people on both side’ that arose in the aftermath of Neo Nazis marching in Charlottesville chanting ‘Jews will not replace us’ are now reborn as pro Jewish and pro-Israel’s actions in Gaza.

 

Perhaps because it’s Muslim civilians being slaughtered, starved and denied access to medical treatment.

 

I suggest press pause and turning the news on…. Oh and watching it.

At the very least, when you hear a Trump supporter expressing their views on Spielberg’s remarks, examine their response to Trump’s views on the aftermath of Charlottesville.

 

You might, and it’s only a suggestion, examine the views of those you accuse of being Jew haters to the neo Nazi marches in Charlottesville. 
 

There’s been a lot of swapping sides going on.

[Jingthing]

37 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Oddly many of those supporting the view ‘There are good people on both side’ that arose in the aftermath of Neo Nazis marching in Charlottesville chanting ‘Jews will not replace us’ are now reborn as pro Jewish and pro-Israel’s actions in Gaza.

 

Perhaps because it’s Muslim civilians being slaughtered, starved and denied access to medical treatment.

 

I suggest press pause and turning the news on…. Oh and watching it.

At the very least, when you hear a Trump supporter expressing their views on Spielberg’s remarks, examine their response to Trump’s views on the aftermath of Charlottesville.

 

You might, and it’s only a suggestion, examine the views of those you accuse of being Jew haters to the neo Nazi marches in Charlottesville. 
 

There’s been a lot of swapping sides going on.

Bizarre and incoherent post.

 

[spidermike007]

13 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Since Abraham received the order from his God Yahweh “the warrior” who ordered the invasion of the lands of Canaan to conquer the current land of Palestine, were the Tribes was taken captives, expelled or massacred. 
The Jews have been expelled since the beginning of history and specifically since the 12th century. from 100 countries such as France, Italy or Spain have forced their exodus and expulsion for racist and religious reasons. The Jewish people have never recognized the Palestinian State drawn up by the UN... The goal is to conquer those lands again and now they have a cause; the attacks of October 7.

Now they are making a mistake again with the extermination of the Palestinians, justifying that Hamas invaded and murdered in their lands. This is a race that is uncomfortable for the existence of all the Muslim countries that surround it.

I do agree that Israel is making a historically significant mistake and is isolating themselves to a dangerous extent throughout the world there are very few countries left that remain allied with the genocidal policies of Israel. 

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

I do agree that Israel is making a historically significant mistake and is isolating themselves to a dangerous extent throughout the world there are very few countries left that remain allied with the genocidal policies of Israel. 

Regardless not an excuse for Jew hating.

[spidermike007]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Regardless not an excuse for Jew hating.

I agree, but criticism of Israel, and criticism of Israeli policies should not be equated with Jew hating. It's simply not the same thing, They are two completely different things.

 

But they certainly are a convenient talking point for Israel and their extremely toxic and over funded  lobby. 

[Bkk Brian]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree, but criticism of Israel, and criticism of Israeli policies should not be equated with Jew hating. It's simply not the same thing, They are two completely different things.

 

But they certainly are a convenient talking point for Israel and their extremely toxic and over funded  lobby. 

Being Jewish does not give your opinion any more weight on it though, when you consider the event recently where Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars acceptance speech and the controversy over his statement led to more than 450 Jewish creatives denounce his Oscars speech in open letter

 

[Jingthing]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree, but criticism of Israel, and criticism of Israeli policies should not be equated with Jew hating. It's simply not the same thing, They are two completely different things.

 

But they certainly are a convenient talking point for Israel and their extremely toxic and over funded  lobby. 

In an ideal world they would be two completely different things but in the real world we live in now, there is quite often a bleeding and blending going on and I think a person would need to be clueless not to see that. In other words normal criticism of Israel government policies as you would criticize any other government, strongly opposing Netanyahu etc. as I do is clearly not Jew hating but unfortunately a lot of the more extreme Israel demonization rhetoric is very often obviously infected. You know it when you see it. 

Edited March 28 by Jingthing

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Being Jewish does not give your opinion any more weight on it though, when you consider the event recently where Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars acceptance speech and the controversy over his statement led to more than 450 Jewish creatives denounce his Oscars speech in open letter

 

Well you are likely right, but Glazer's speech simply proved how little tolerance there is for open descent, when it comes to Israel, Israeli policy and breaking the ranks with other Jews. 

[placnx]

15 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree, but criticism of Israel, and criticism of Israeli policies should not be equated with Jew hating. It's simply not the same thing, They are two completely different things.

 

But they certainly are a convenient talking point for Israel and their extremely toxic and over funded  lobby. 

The campaign going on across the West to make criticism of Israel, in particular its policies regarding Palestinians, be categorized as anti-Semitism is intended to suppress legitimate speech, even outlaw it in some cases. There is a government ministry in Israel created to combat BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions). In the US this campaign is pushed by Christian Zionists who are a major force in the Republican Party.

[spidermike007]

7 hours ago, placnx said:

The campaign going on across the West to make criticism of Israel, in particular its policies regarding Palestinians, be categorized as anti-Semitism is intended to suppress legitimate speech, even outlaw it in some cases. There is a government ministry in Israel created to combat BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions). In the US this campaign is pushed by Christian Zionists who are a major force in the Republican Party.

I think you're absolutely right, Israel has never been particularly strong on free speech, even though they do represent themselves as a democracy.

 

One thing that I've noticed over the years as a Centrist Democrat, the Democrats and the Liberals seem to be the ones who are the most offended by free speech, especially by those who disagree with their ideas. 

[pacovl46]

Well, you might wanna take off your blinders and take a good hard look at what your "kind" has become and what they do, Mr. Spielberg!