this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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[–] [email protected] -5 points 11 months ago (2 children)

What would happen? Israelis have freedom of expression and it's unlikely his disgusting comments rise to the level of a crime. Would you call that an actionable threat? He's about as close to decision-makers as we are. Like, when Lindsey Graham called this conflict a holy war against Islam, it was revolting but I doubt most were surprised that he wasn't legally punished. The most likely punishment is public ridicule and revulsion because there are few cases where people face legal consequences for speech.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The most likely punishment is public ridicule and revulsion because there are few cases where people face legal consequences for speech.

Yeah, and something tells me he isn't gonna get these things.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What tells you? Do you think the Auschwitz Museum isn't well-respected in Israel? Most English-language coverage in Israel seems to at least be prominently featuring the criticism over his statement.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (2 children)

It's because at least 50% of Israelis agree with him. That's the number of right wing voters.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

What does "representative democracy" even mean amirite fellas

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Which party ran on a platform of murdering or displacing everyone in Gaza? Most Israeli voters vehemently disagree with parties that ran on considerably less extreme platforms than that. Half the reason for the emergency unity government was removing those less extreme extremists from decision-making positions.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I mean right-wing parties generally run on not allowing a Palestinian state to be created, and on settlement of the West bank and "hard on Gaza" policies. They're not explicitly running on genociding Gaza, but that's what these things mean.

I can't find a recent poll about Israeli approval of the war (the most recent one I found was made in 19 November and had 88% approval), but the idea that Israelis are being forced to take part in this against their will is decidedly false; otherwise

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Military service is more-or-less mandatory in Israel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Israel

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Then why the move to pull the crazies out of cabinet? If what you're saying is true, there isn't a possible world where the public wouldn't want the crazies in there to carry out the genocide they've been covertly voting for. Why would the public support Benny Gantz, a moderate on Palestine, coming into cabinet? Why would he be so far ahead in election polling?

People saying that they support a war with Hamas is very different from saying they support the murder or displacement of all the residents of Gaza.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I see. I guess that does give me slightly more hope for the future.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

A repercussion could also include him being removed from office if his constituents feel strongly about it. You use the example of Lindsay Graham. If America didn't have such deep systemic racist issues, a violent military-centric culture, or a strong Christo-fascist element in society, he would probably be recalled. As it is, genocide Joe, our government and much of the population seem perfectly fine with eliminating the Palestinians. Recently there has been stronger push-back. That is nice to see, but we still have a long way to do before we can develop a good cultural response against genocide.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I don't have any problem with there being consequences for his statement. I don't even know what options his constituents have to remove him, to be honest. I just don't think there's only one conclusion to be drawn from him not being punished. Notably in the case of Graham, you talk about his constituents. For Azoulai it's his culture. His constituents are 1700 people.

Do you think that all Americans support a holy war against Islam because Graham wasn't punished? Presumably not. Why do you ascribe the belief to all Israelis here?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

I'm not saying all Americans support this unholy war, but not enough are outraged that I think it is a sign of deep cultural problems in our society. Trump is the chief symptom of our insanity. Israel is also a sick society, and that person saying those abhorrent things without any negative impact on his life is a symptom.