The leader of the nationalist pro-Israel advocacy group, Im Tirtzu, threatened the founder of a mocking Facebook group with libel and court action. Ronen Shoval is the founder of the Israeli NGO, which smeared New Israel Fund chair, Naomi Hazan, depicting her with a rhinoceros horn in demeaning newspaper advertisements. Im Tirtzu’s intent was the assault NIF for it’s alleged role in coordinating Israeli human right testimony that buttressed the Goldstone Report.
Shoval wrote an intimidating e mail to Roy Yellin, who created the Facebook group, Im Tirtzu is Fascist warning that if he didn’t close the Facebook group in 72 hours he would haul him to court. Yellin, a former spokesperson for the Meretz party, mocked Shoval’s threat and responded that he’d meet him in court and prove the charges true. This is the type of penny ante harrassment for which the Israeli far-right is well known. In fact it’s astonishing that Shoval would waste his time with this, all the while proving how little respect he has for freedom of speech, a supposed hallmark of Israeli democracy. Not to mention drawing attention to Im Tirtzu is Fascist.
I invite you to join 2,000 2,300 other members of Im Tirtzu is Fascist and tell Shoval where he can take himself. The founder of Im Tirtzu was at one time leader of the pro-settler student group, Orange Cell, but now claims he is a man of the “center.” Considering there no longer is a viable left in Israeli politics, he may not be far wrong.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://i0.wp.com/img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?w=640)
A lawsuit against a Facebook group? What's next? Suing people for writing graffiti? How desperately pathetic can they get? I'm signing up!
You have sued people for libel, haven't you?
Are you out of yr mind?
I 'double dog dare' bar_kochba132 to truthfully answer that question!
I don't actually recall if RIchard actually did bring suit, but I do recall when someone made a web site that parodied this blog a few years ago, Richard went ballistic and I do seem to recall that he threatened legal action. I also recall recently he mentioned some legal proceedings he has with a woman, but I don't know if it was a libel suit. I do know many "progressives" (who no doubt support 'free speech') like Michael Lerner, Neve Gordon and others like to bring libel suits against critics in order to silence debate.
You don't know what you're talking about. The blog didn't parody my blog it IMPERSONATED me. Do you understand the difference? After five successive copyright violations Blogger took the site down. I didn't threaten legal action. I didn't have to. Neve Gordon brought suit against Steven Plaut because he called him a "Judenrat wannabe." I'm not aware of Michael Lerner ever suing anyone for libel. Pls. get yr facts straight before you write.
Bring it on, we are millions agaiNST Israel and we will provide the funds, fucking fascists
freedom of speech is not the freedom of smear, so suing liars and libelists is not pro or against freedom of speech.
Infact those who fight for the "freedom of smear" disguised as fighters for freedom of speech are the biggest and most imminent threat for freedom and democracy everywhere.
Uh, I beg your pardon but yes, freedom of speech gives very wide latitude & the anti-Im Tirtzu Facebook group has certainly not libelled or lied about Ronen Shoval & Im Tirtzu. So let Shoval bring suit. Let's test the law & see if you're right or I'm right. If Israel is a democracy, then the court will throw out Shoval's suit so fast his head will spin. The threat to democracy comes fr. Im Tirtzu & not from its critics.