As Rockets Rain on Gaza, Facebook Does Nothing to Stop Hate Speech Against Palestinians

Banner of Lehaselmehabel Facebook page.

Banner of Lehaselmehabel Facebook page.

Written by Dalia Othman. Ellery Roberts Biddle, Jillian C. York and Ivan Sigal contributed reporting to this post.

After three Israeli teenagers, who were later killed, were first reported missing, a page called, “Until our boys are returned – we will kill a terrorist every hour” appeared on Facebook. The page has been active for over three weeks, featuring multiple posts in Hebrew calling for violence against Palestinians and Arabs. Despite many formal abuse reports made by Facebook users, the page has not been taken down. Global Voices spoke with Facebook and they say they are reviewing the page.

The June kidnappings led to a revenge attack on 16-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Abu Khdeir, who was burned to death, and set off a massive Israeli military operation across the West Bank and Gaza, leading to the arrest of hundreds and deaths of dozens of Palestinians. The conflict has escalated further in recent days, with the massive “Operation Defensive Edge” declared against Gaza, which has killed 90 Palestinians so far, many of them women and children. From Gaza, Hamas, a group that has ruled the strip since 2007, has fired hundreds of missiles into Israel. As of July 9, Israeli officials reported that no Israelis had been killed as a result.

Conversations on social media have mirrored the rapidly rising tensions on the ground. The About section of the “Until our boys are returned – we will kill a terrorist every hour” Facebook page says:

We must use a strong hand to fight violent and life-threatening terror. The weakness shown by the Israeli Government, which released thousands of murderers has only increased their drive and led to the kidnapping of the teens. The only way to bring the teens back is to instill fear in our enemies and make them understand that they will suffer. We support executing a terrorist every hour until the teens are released.

Among some Israelis, the word “terrorist” is commonly used as a stand-in for “Palestinian”. For any person familiar with local terminology, it is difficult to see this as anything but a call to execute all Palestinians. One post on the page urges readers to “kill them while they are still in their mother’s [womb].” Violent language dominates the page and messages clearly target Arabs, specifically Palestinians. For those who do not read Hebrew, even a machine translation reveals the explosive nature of the page’s content.

blurred.Comment about death to arabs

This comment was reported to Facebook, but had not been removed as of July 9.

blurred.Comment calling for price tag

This comment was reported to Facebook, but had not been removed as of July 9.

The comment above was reported to Facebook and was deemed not a violation of the community standards. This comment both calls for “price tag” actions (defined as acts of terrorism by the US Department of State in 2013) and the transfer of Palestinians, a clear attack against a people and a call for violence.

Does the page violate Facebook’s Community Standards?

The first section of Facebook’s Community Standards reads:

Safety is Facebook's top priority. We remove content and may escalate to law enforcement when we perceive a genuine risk of physical harm, or a direct threat to public safety. You may not credibly threaten others, or organize acts of real-world violence.

A later section on hate speech is also relevant to the page:

Facebook does not permit hate speech….we do not permit individuals or groups to attack others based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition.

Since the page first appeared, concerned citizens (among them multiple trusted sources and friends of Global Voices) have used Facebook’s process for reporting abuse to call the company's attention to the page and ask for its removal. Some have taken to Twitter, urging others to do the same. But more than three weeks since it went live, the page remains active on the site.

This page is not an anomaly. After news that the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers had been killed, similar pages have sprung up with explosive racist and violent language. These pages have also attracted mainstream media’s attention. Facebook users once again tried to report the pages calling for revenge against the Palestinian population. Nevertheless, Facebook responded with similar claims (see screenshot below) that the page is not a violation of their community standards.

Facebook response to abuse report , sent July 3 2014.

Facebook response to abuse report , sent July 3 2014.

The Third Intifada page
Back in 2011, there was a similar situation, in which a group of young Palestinians started a Facebook page calling for a third intifada or uprising that would build on the two historic intifadas that took place to end Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories.

Although the group's administrators set out to promote non-violent civic action in support of a free and independent Palestine, page members began posting messages that promoted violence and hatred towards Israel and Israeli people. CNN later reported that the page was taken down from the site after Facebook received a removal request from the Israeli government.

Online rights experts later suggested that the company could have suspended the accounts or pages of commenters promoting violence, rather than taking the page down altogether. In the social media ecosystem, these details matter – free expression is better preserved when harmful speech can be targeted at the level of the individual, rather than an entire page or platform. But it was understood that Facebook removed the page in an effort to extinguish violent and hateful language, and the potential real-life consequences that it could have triggered. It is troubling to see now that Facebook is not following the same standards when it comes to the recent pages.

Facebook's response
In an interview, Global Voices asked Monika Bickert, Facebook Head of Global Policy Management, to explain why this page isn’t a violation of community standards. She responded: “We clearly list the characteristics that we consider to be hate speech, and if it doesn’t come under one of those categories, we don’t consider it hate speech under our policies.”

Bickert spoke generally about their policies and not this specific case:

Facebook sets policies that can be implemented by a global, 24-hour staff of content reviewers. They seek to make decisions quickly and consistently[…] One of the toughest areas for Facebook is the area of hate speech. Here, Facebook is looking for characteristics that specifically target either an individual or a defined group [..] Because Pages change, unlike posts, they can be reviewed more than once. Decisions about individual pieces of content tend to be final, although can be reviewed for error.

Facebook should not serve as a platform for promoting violence against anyone
As defenders of free expression, we do not want Facebook to become a more controlled, more heavily censored platform. But we also cannot stand by and watch as this and other pages gain hundreds of followers by the day. It is not only hateful and discriminatory towards Palestinians and Arabs, it is a plain, unequivocal threat of violence towards human beings. With full recognition of the complex and delicate political context of this situation, we ask that Facebook reconsider this case and engage with us in a conversation about their decision-making process on this and other similar pages.

This story was updated at 17:10 GMT on July 11 to clarify that Mohamed Abu Khdeir was killed in a revenge attack.

79 comments

  • Ben Douglass

    The death of Muhammed Abu-Khdeir was not a result of the military operation, but rather a revenge killing by Israeli extremists who have as yet not been identified. His murder is mourned by most Israelis as much as the murder of the three boys.

  • […] As Rockets Rain on Gaza, Facebook Does Nothing to Stop Hate … […]

  • fred lapides

    Israelis hate Arabs? wow. They need to turn the other cheek and see how they are loved throughout the Arab world, in public schools, summer camps (to learn jihad), posters, by their governments…more love for Jews?
    read the Koran

  • peaceseeker67

    Yet another forum where HATE speech from a minority of Jewish and RW Christians is acceptable.
    When HATE speech is allowed on any forum by a particular group it reflects poorly on an entire segment of people who are part of that group.
    There are many Jews and Christians who are loving and caring people – but the loud voices of those who HATE are allowed more and covered more than those of the majority of Jews and Christians.
    There are a minority of Muslims who HATE – and those receive more coverage in the media than the majority of Muslims who are loving and good people.
    The world has no hope if we do not change and soon!

    • Rick

      Your lost if you think the Muslims will ever allow Israel to exist. And by the way they want to kill you too. Read the Koran and see what they will do to non believers. Try to keep your head on your neck.

      • Thorvington Finglethorpe

        Most Muslims have long since accepted Israel’s existence. The beef they all pretty much have left at this point is the land situation, the blockade/siege, and the economic sabotage.

      • peaceseeker67

        Rick – I find it sad that you are so terribly ignorant of Muslims – and
        Palestinians in particular. I spent 11 days in Palestine/Israel. I am a
        Christian. I wore a large silver cross the entire time I was there. I
        stayed in Muslim hostels – traveled in Muslim taxis and on Muslim buses
        – spoke with Muslims – visited the Dome of the Rock – even stayed in
        the home of a Palestinian. The only people who threatened me were
        Jewish and Israeli. I also met with and spoke with many wonderful Jews
        who are looking for a peaceful solution to this terrible situation. The
        ones I saw and continue to see who hate so much are Zionist Jews and RW
        Christians.

        • Rick

          Dear Peaceseeker,
          It has to be a two way street. How can
          you reason with somebody when they
          don’t even acknowledge your right to
          exist. I have been to Israel many times and
          saw what Palestinians did to Holy sights
          when they were given control. They
          desecrated them just for spite. Bethlehem
          was a beautiful town before it was turned
          over to PA. Now it is a slum, same with
          Jericho. The Israelis tried to teach Palestinians
          their amazing farming methods about
          making a desert bloom, they had no
          interest because we send them massive
          amounts of financial aid. Arafat had a deal
          on the table giving him everything he wanted
          at the Camp David summit but turned it
          down because he and PA had no interest
          in peace. Please ! If you want to have a dialogue
          then let’s use facts and not pie in the sky
          rhetoric.

          Sent from my iPad

          • peaceseeker67

            Rick – I do not understand what you are talking about.
            I found the Palestinians to be the farmers.
            As
            to Bethlehem. Upon visiting there – which was very difficult due to
            the fact that Israel has closed the city off. We needed to exit the
            taxi we were traveling in – climb over a dirt embankment put up by the
            IDF – get into another taxi – just to get into the city.
            I did not find it to be a slum.
            The
            Christian family we stayed with in Bethlehem showed us photos of what
            it was like when Israel descended upon Bethlehem with their tanks. I
            saw the holes blown in buildings by the tanks.
            Claiming Israelis are
            the farmers when it is mostly Palestinians who are the farmers. The
            Palestinian market in Hebron and East Jerusalem was full of fruits and
            vegetables. The Palestinian farm family I spent the night with outside
            of Hebron laughed as they told me of their “organic” orchard.. Organic
            because settlers either threw stones at them or shot at them so they
            could not work in their orchard. This discussion came about because I
            said my Daughter worked on a organic farm. They didn’t know what an
            organic farm was until I told them it meant not using pesticides.
            https://blog.kiva.org/fellowsblog/2013/07/16/food-and-farming-in-palestine

            Please do not accuse me of being dishonest when it is instead appears to be you who is being dishonest.

             
          • Rick

            I don’t know if you are aware of this
            But Israel is one of the largest exporters
            of fruit in the world. And not only that
            but they have taken water from the Dead
            Sea and have used it for irrigation which
            was never done before anywhere in the
            world.I have been there and it virtually a
            garden of Eden in the middle of the
            desert. Bt the way they offered to share
            the technology with the Palestinians but
            they were rebuffed. Israel is our only true
            ally in that part of the world and the only
            Democracy. I do not dispute what you saw
            but you need to do more research. One other
            thing, Israel has over 20 nuclear weapons
            but would never use them against anybody
            except in her own defense.Do you think if
            Hamas or Iran would get them they would
            be so prudent. You sound like an intelligent
            person that can reason. I am not a Jew
            but I support the State of Israel’s right to
            exist.I believe the Arab’s just cannot be
            trusted, I am sorry if that offends you but
            that is just the way I see it. My son has
            served in Afghanistan and many dealings
            with Muslims. You should talk to him some
            time and not believe what you read in the
            papers.

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • peaceseeker67

            Rick – I do not believe what I read in the papers. As a matter of fact – I believe very little I hear or read from mainstream media. I have been very upfront about where I obtained my information and why I do not feel the same way about Muslims that you do.
            I have traveled IN Muslim areas – and was treated with respect and honor by all Muslims that I encountered. Perhaps because I treated them with respect.
            As to Israel never using nuclear weapons. Then why do they have them? Why have they refused to allow anyone to verify what they have. Why did they imprison Vanunu when he told the world that they had nuclear weapons http://www.vanunu.com/ – after they denied having nuclear weapons?
            As to Israel being a “Democracy” – it is only a democracy for Jews – and even then – only Jews that agree with whatever the government does. Check out what some Israelis have to say about the “Democracy” that is Israel. http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Is-Israel-a-true-democracy-352445
            Luckily – I spoke with many wonderful Jewish people working towards a peaceful solution – otherwise I might condemn all Jews like you seem to all Muslims. http://www.theparentscircle.com/ http://www.icahd.org/ http://www.btselem.org/ http://rhr.org.il/eng/about/
            As to your Son’s interactions with Muslims. If someone came into my city from another country. armed to the hilt! I might not be so friendly towards them. Also – if he showed them no respect – why should they show him respect?

             
          • Rick

            Do we allow anyone to verify what we have.
            You are very naive and by the way what
            Nationality and Religion are you. Are you
            Muslim?

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • peaceseeker67

            I have stated quite clearly that I am Christian. But what difference does it make. Does my religion change facts?
            Verify our nuclear weapons?
            Um yes! http://www.nti.org/treaties-and-regimes/treaty-on-the-non-proliferation-of-nuclear-weapons/

             
          • Rick

            Why would you let the enemy know our
            Strengths and weaknesses?

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • Rick

            Read The Book of Numbers chapter 34
            And you will see the land that was given
            To Israel for all eternity and will be returned
            To her intact when The Lord returns. The
            Palestinians and Muslims will not have it.

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • peaceseeker67

            As I said – I am a Follower of Christ – not just a believer in Christ.
            I base my life on the teachings of Christ.
            While I read the Old Testament – I do not follow what it says.
            BTW I failed to answer one of your questions before. I was born in America – I would consider myself a mutt. My parents were both born in America. My Mother’s parents were both born in America as were her Grandparents. My Father’s Mother was born in America as were both of her parents. His Father was not American by birth but a Naturalized citizen.
            I do not know what difference this makes in our conversation but if you feel it is important I have just given you my background – I told you early in the conversation what my religion was – I never asked you any of these questions as I do not feel they are that important – but if you feel they are – perhaps I should ask the same of you.
            Are you willing to disclose your roots? And your religion?

             
          • Rick

            My parents were born here and my
            Grandparents came here from Italy.
            I am a born again Christian and I know
            the word. I am a follower of Jesus and
            his word but wish I could do better. My
            buttons get pushed when people are
            misinformed about what is true and
            what is not. You can’t throw out the Old
            Testament because you just feel like.The
            whole book has to bee read all 66 of them.

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • peaceseeker67

            Rick – thank you for sharing your roots with me – though as I said – I do not see what difference it makes in our conversation.
            I do read the entire Bible – but I FOLLOW Jesus’ words – He is my Savior – He told me how to behave.
            There is much in the Old Testament that I doubt you follow either. ie: wearing of more than one cloth – stoning of women and children – eating or touching pork or products.
            I try my best to leave all judging to God. I am so far from perfect – and I believed Jesus when he told the parable in John 8.
            I have to admit that I do not understand “Christians” who seem to hate so much and use the Bible as their justification.
            The God I know and Love – is FULL OF LOVE for ALL His Children.
            If we truly BELIEVE that God made the Heavens and the Earth – and ALL that exists. Why do we believe that some of God’s Children are unworthy of life?
            Probably even more important to me is Matthew 7.
            I still remember when I was on a bus – passing by this garden area in Jerusalem after leaving the Dome of the Rock. I could not catch my breath. I asked the guide what that place was. He said “That is Gethsemane” I knew then that Jesus’ way was the right way.
            Blessings!

             
          • Surfinnonreality

            If you are a muslim why would you wear a cross?
            peaceseeker67 Rick • a day ago
            Rick – I find it sad that you are so terribly ignorant of Muslims – and
            Palestinians in particular. I spent 11 days in Palestine/Israel. I am a
            Christian. I wore a large silver cross the entire time I was there.
            Rick peaceseeker67 • 15 hours ago
            Do we allow anyone to verify what we have.
            You are very naive and by the way what
            Nationality and Religion are you. Are you
            Muslim?
            peaceseeker67 Rick • 15 hours ago
            I have stated quite clearly that I am Christian. But what difference does it make. Does my religion change facts?
            Verify our nuclear weapons?
            Um yes!

             
          • peaceseeker67

            Surfinnonreality – not sure what your comment was aimed at.
            Was it aimed at me or Rick?
            I am not a Muslim – but a Christian (Follower of Christ) Something I had stated quite clearly at the beginning of my conversation with Rick but that he had either ignored or forgot.
            I am always amazed that so many “Christians” seem to forget – or ignore the fact that there are Palestinian CHRISTIANS. I know I was guilty of this myself before I started “caring” about what was occurring in that part of the world.
            I admit to not knowing or even caring about the conflict – then God spoke to me – telling me I must go to Israel/Palestine. Took me a while – but once I did – I had my eyes and heart opened.

             
          • Surfinnonreality

            He asked if you were muslim. You answered um yes. Seemed to conflict with your Christain statement.

             
          • MissCostello

            “Israel is one of the largest exporters of fruit”

            And YOU are one of the largest exporters of the stuff used to grow it; That’s right’ – shite! Get a life.

             
          • Kafir istani

            soon we will have Kurdistan to , when Iraq ends

             
          • peaceseeker67

            The “massive amounts of financial aid the U.S. sends is to the “state” of Israel. http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf

            Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. To date, the United States has provided Israel $121 billion (current, or non-inflation-adjusted, dollars)”
            Palestinian aid from the U.S. is http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS22967.pdf

            From FY2008 to the present, annual regular-year
            U.S. bilateral assistance to the West Bank and
            Gaza Strip has averaged around $500 million, including annual averages of approximately $200
            million in direct budgetary assistance and $100 million in non-lethal security assistance for the PA in the West Bank”
            OK – I have used just a few facts here.
            BTW – I have not been to Jerhico – but I have been to Bethlehem – East Jerusalem and have not seen the “desecration” of Holy Sites that you have claimed. Could you please provide proof of what you claim.
            I personally experienced attacks by the IDF – both upon myself and Palestinians. If I knew how to share photos on this thread that I took I would do so.
            I agree that it is almost impossible to reason with someone who doesn’t accept your right to exist. But Palestinians each and every day try desperately to do so. It isn’t the Palestinians who refuse to accept your right to exist – it is the Zionist and RW “Christians”.

            You seem to be confused by what occurred at Camp David. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1977-1980/camp-david

            “Israeli Prime Minister, appeared intractable on the issue of exchanging
            land for peace. His party’s commitment to “greater Israel””

            “Israel
            rejected Egypt’s insistence on withdrawal, especially from the West Bank and
            Gaza. It argued instead for some form of Palestinian autonomy during a five-year
            interim period followed by the possibility of sovereignty after the interim
            period expired.”
            Now I may be misreading this but it sure seems to me that the ones unwilling to compromise was Israel.

             
          • Rick

            I wish I knew your first name but you
            have to understand that the Jews will
            never give up their land. I don’t know if
            you read the Bible or not or if you are a
            believer but it is their land. When Jesus
            returns and stands on the Mt. Of Olives
            he will make everything right as far as
            whose land it is. Why do you think
            Israel built the wall along Gaza? It was
            keep terrorists out so they would not
            blow up innocent civilians.
            Israel gets all the more aid because they
            are our ally. The Palestinians are not.I
            don’t think we should give them anything
            but that’s a discussion for another time.

            Sent from my iPad

             
          • peaceseeker67

            Do you even realize what you are saying?
            You claim that it is Muslims who are the aggressors – who hate Jews and Christians because of what is in the Koran.
            Yet you have just proven that it is you – a “Christian” (INO) who believes Jews are in the “right” because of the Bible. That their/your God GAVE them that land.
            I thank God every day that I am a Follower of Christ – not just a believer in Christ.
            That I try my very best to live my life as Christ lived His time here on earth.
            That I not only believe but try my best to Follow His words (From Matthew) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
            AND (From John)”Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

             
          • Kafir istani

            jesus is a lie and christianity a fake

             
          • Jake Terpstra

            Has Israel ever said that Palestine has a right to exist?

             
          • GreenEagle

            Palestine refers to a region, not a nation. You might as well ask whether the Caribbean has a right to exist, or the North Pole.

             
          • Kafir istani

            yes they have = in 1937 the pre Israeli Jewish community of Palestine backed the peel report that would have given the jews only 20% and the Arabs 80% ( the 6 million nazi victims could have been saved) and again in 1946 with the anglo american report and of cause the united nations partition . but on each and every time the Arabs wanted it all and got 0

             
      • MissCostello

        Try to keep a brain in your head. OTOH………

  • Rdzkz

    And where are the Saudis –interested only in Iraq because there is petrol– dump their palestinaians brothers! True shame. Bring them home to Mecca and Medina, now!

  • dianegordon

    I have reported a few pages, and got the same message. I think the reports are being evaluated by the bot. No other explanaton.

  • Rick

    If the Palestinians want their own land let them ask their Arab brothers for some. Other Arab states want no part of them. It’s Israel’s land given to them by God in the Old Testament. I have been to Israel many times and the Palestinians are a blight to civilized society. They need to be thrown off once and for all.

    • peaceseeker67

      You seem to be the one hating and not accepting of the existence of another. Your claim that “God gave the land to Israel” and that justifies whatever the Israeli government does because it is in the “Old Testament” is specious at best.

      • GreenEagle

        And I would like to point out that Israelis rarely if ever resort to any sort of religious argument for their right to be there. To them, it is their real homeland. This is a historical fact, not a religious one.

        • peaceseeker67

          I’m afraid I must disagree with you on your statement here. Israelis do indeed claim it is their right to be there – that it is “their homeland” because God gave it to them. Have heard this comment often by Israelis and Zionist – along with RW “Christians”.
          I’m also confused as to what “historical fact” are you referring to?

    • Jake Terpstra

      The Palestinians living, or have lived in this century, occupied Palestine much longer than Jews did.

      • Rick

        Jake,
        Just for your info there never was a
        Palestine prior to the 20th century. And
        about who occupied it longer go back to
        the Old Testament check out Book of
        Numbers, Chapter 34 to see whose land
        it is.

        Sent from my iPad

        • peaceseeker67

          Sorry Rick – but you might want to read the King James version of the Bible.

          Joel 3:4King James Version (KJV)

          4 Yea,
          and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts
          of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me,
          swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

          I often hear this comment but there has indeed been a Palestine for Centuries. Palestine disappeared in the 20th Century when Jewish Israel was formed.

          I encourage you to read a book by Father Elias Chacour who was a child in that Palestine at the time of the formation of Israel. “Blood Brothers” http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Brothers-Dramatic-Palestinian-Christian/dp/0800793218 “The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived
          at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But early in 1947, their idyllic
          lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were
          killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps. An exile in
          his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the
          Jewish people and the world’s misunderstanding of his own people, the
          Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple,
          haunting words of the Man of Galilee: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

        • Jake Terpstra

          You didn’t read what I wrote. The question isn’t who was there the longest, but who occupied it since 33 AD. Jews can’t even trace their lineage prior to that because their records were destroyed with the temple. No one know where ancestors of living Jews lived.
          And did you notice that the covenant was primarily about behavior not real estate. Each time they agreed to it they blew it. And each time they were run off.

          • GreenEagle

            Since 33 AD? You mean since the year Jesus was allegedly crucified? What the hell does that have to do with anything?

             
      • GreenEagle

        That is simply false, Jake.

        • Jake Terpstra

          You think I made it up?
          Is an area without a constitution or a border a country?. Israel doesn’t have either. But these historical academic discussions have noting to do with what is happening “on the ground”. I assume you know. Is that OK with you.

        • Jake Terpstra

          It is false to you because you don’t want to believe it. That doesn’t make it false.

  • zeromein

    It should also be noted that they have done nothing to interfere with Palestinians posting hate speech against Israel, either.

  • Constant Jones

    islam is defined by hate, terror and an unrelenting desire for subjugation and conquest of the non islamic world. Please don’t lecture anyone else on hate. It’s really tacky

    • peaceseeker67

      The hate I mostly see comes from RW “Christians” and Zionist Jews. They like to CLAIM that Muslims – in particular – Palestinians (which also includes Christian Palestinians) are full of hate and terror – while they are the ones perpetrating the terror and hate.

      • GreenEagle

        I see, “peaceseeker.” It’s Jews and Christians who have fired 13,000 rockets into Israel. It’s Jews and Christians who have slaughtered 150,000 in Syria, and who are now on a mad rampage in Iraq. It’s Jews and Christians who kidnap schoolgirls in Nigeria and sell them into slavery. Right. It’s Jews and Christians who do everything to make Muslims look bad. Got it now. Thanks for enlightening us.

        • peaceseeker67

          I never claimed that ALL Muslims are good. That is your own interpretation due in part to your own prejudices.
          Unlike so many who attempt to paint ALL Christians and Jews as righteous. I accept there are bad people in all religions. Using religion as a justification for their own misdeeds.
          As I stated earlier – and I thought quite clearly here – I find hate on many fronts – but I also find love on many fronts. If I did not – I would blame all Jews for what is being committed by the Israeli government.

          http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/2014-07-11/when-bombs-receive-applause
          https://twitter.com/allansorensen72/status/486954506517639170/photo/1
          http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/patrick-strickland/bombing-gaza-children-gives-me-orgasm-israelis-celebrate-slaughter-facebook

          Each time I hear the claim that “Muslims celebrated” this or that terrible offense – yet claims that no Christian or Jew would ever do this I cringe.

          The evil that was visited upon Iraq by our own military during “Shock and Awe” – I witnessed the celebrating by American Christians first hand. Our government officials and military celebrated this event as if it were the 4th of July fireworks.

          So please – do not attempt to justify the murder of innocents by making the claim that if another group does it – that somehow justifies us doing the same or WORSE!!!

          • GreenEagle

            I never said any of the things you accuse me of. That is because you are so afraid of having your view of history upended in the face of horrible conduct by Muslims all over the world, that you shut out any counter-arguments.

            I never said a word about Muslims celebrating the acts of subhuman killers, even though many such incidents have been documented. The people in your picture are the victims of thousands of rocket attacks; the people in Gaza are the victims of their own government which they freely elected.

            I did not attempt to justify the murder of innocents in any way. If there is anyone to blame for this it is the people who deliberately located their weapons adjacent to civilians. That is a war crime, but the Palestinian screeching whenever anyone mentions this prevents it from being properly dealt with.

            We all know that if the Palestinians in Gaza gave up their hatred of Jews and committed to living in peace, the Israelis (and the Egyptians, who have come to hate their neighbors’ behavior as much as the Israelis) would cooperate to help them build a decent society. If Israelis gave up their arms, they would all be slaughtered. That is a simple fact, and it casts a lot of light on who are the bad guys in this situation.

             
          • peaceseeker67

            I must have misunderstood your sarcasm comment ” It’s Jews and Christians who have fired 13,000 rockets into Israel.
            It’s Jews and Christians who have slaughtered 150,000 in Syria, and who
            are now on a mad rampage in Iraq. It’s Jews and Christians who kidnap
            schoolgirls in Nigeria and sell them into slavery. Right. It’s Jews
            and Christians who do everything to make Muslims look bad. Got it now.
            Thanks for enlightening us.”
            Certainly you did not mean to blame and degrade all Muslims by this comment.

            Where did I say you said anything about Muslims celebrating the acts of subhuman killers? though in a later post you did make the claim that Palestinian children are taught to hate Jews. ” You ignore the systematic teaching of Palestinian children to hate Jews, nor the endless hate propaganda produced in Gaza to justify their
            violence.”

            I may have difficulty understanding the meaning of some things that are written – but to me this comment seems quite clear. You believe that at least all Palestinian children – if not all Muslims – are taught to hate by their parents and teachers. The parents and teachers do not need to TEACH them this. The actions of the IDF and Settlers towards them is sufficient.

            Your assertion that weapons are adjacent to civilians is specious at best.

            Other than Israel claiming this, what proof do you have?

            The hatred of Jews in general simply does not exist in the way you characterize it. Wish I could find the story of the Jewish man who had been taught this all his life – He was confronted about how many Palestinians he knew. Had to admit he knew none – so he traveled to Gaza and found all he had been taught was a lie. He walked the streets of Gaza without being attacked and was eventually invited to stay with a Palestinian family. Changed his life!!

            It seems to me that the one who has difficulty with reality is more likely you. I supplied many links for you to check out facts. I wonder if you believe that by attacking me personally I will cease to post – or perhaps will change my mind.

            Sorry to disappoint – but calling me names will not change my knowledge of the situation or my belief that the government of Israel is WRONG when they attack an entire people for the actions on a few. When the government murders 100’s as compared to single digit murders by Palestinians. Palestine has no army – navy or air force – so how should they respond?

            Considering the actions of the Israeli Government – house demolitions – arrest and killing of Palestinians with no proof those were the ones who committed the terrible act of murdering 3 Jewish young men. Is it any wonder that Settler youth decided it would be acceptable to kidnap and murder – by burning alive – a young Palestinian boy?

            I did not see where Israel demolished the homes of the Jewish boys who ADMITTED they murdered the Palestinian boy. Did I miss this – or do only Palestinian families DESERVE to pay the price for the atrocities of someone who MAY have committed a heinous crime?
            Again – no one was proven or even accused of murdering the three Jewish boys. Just a general condemnation of Hamas.
            Israel has complete control of the West Bank – especially settlements where the three boys were. To believe they do not KNOW who committed the murder of the three Jewish boys is absurd. They knew immediately that they had been killed. They had it on tape – yet they didn’t find the bodies for almost 3 weeks. The bodies had not been moved to a remote location – but were within a few yards of where they had called from. Something smells fishy to me.

            I readily admit to not having a high regard for the Israeli Government – I see them as very corrupt – but I do not have the hate for all Jewish people that some people seem to have towards all Palestinians and even all Muslims.

             
          • GreenEagle

            I’m not going to waste my time replying to your geyser of hatred, but here is one site you might like to check out, showing a Hamas children’s TV show teaching kids to hate and kill Jews:

            http://dailycaller.com/2014/05/07/palestinian-childrens-show-when-you-grow-up-shoot-all-jews/

            Nothing like that on Israeli TV.

             
          • peaceseeker67

            And you know there is nothing like that on Israeli TV because daily caller TELLS you there isn’t?
            http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2014/05/11/when-israelis-teach-their-kids-to-hate/
            “But instead, when I turned
            on my computer this morning, I couldn’t find a thing on any of the
            sites that track hate in the Middle East. None of my newsy friends even
            dedicated a Facebook status. No one seemed to really care. And for one
            reason: the people in question weren’t Palestinians, but right-wing
            Jewish settlers.”
            “We’re told that
            Palestinian maps in schools often show a unified Palestine between the
            river and the sea — “how awful!” — yet Israeli maps, more often than Palestinian ones in fact, don’t show the Green Line, and Jews don’t really seem to care.
            We’re told that
            Palestinians are taught in school that the Jewish historical claims to
            the land, particularly the Temple Mount, don’t really exist — “how
            awful!” — yet in a similar tone, many Israeli children learn that “Palestinians” were only recently invented, and Jews don’t really seem to care.
            We’re told that Palestinian textbooks distort history — “how awful!” — yet a recent State Department study found that many Israeli textbooks do too, and Jews don’t really seem to care.”

            I quoted this because I must admit I didn’t have faith that you would follow the link I provided.

             
          • Jake Terpstra

            Green, the year 33 has everything to do with it. Maybe you don’t read the Bible. Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which occurred about 33 AD. He didn’t predict that the Jews would return. Personal genealogies and records had been kept in the temple.

             
          • MissCostello

            Well said.

             
      • Surfinnonreality

        Anyone remember 9-11? Anyone remember the muslims dancing in the streets across the middle east? Is that the love we are talking about?

      • GreenEagle

        I have never met Zionist Jews who have these attitudes. Most of the far right Orthodox Jews do not recognize the legitimacy of the state of Israel. Zionism has an overwhelmingly liberal tradition.

    • Jake Terpstra

      Then why are they such kind hospitable people—and I’ve known many.

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