Yesterday, I published a post consisting of translations of verbatim video recordings of two senior Israeli settler rabbis. They justified the Holocaust, said “Hitler was right,” advocated that Palestinians become servants of Israelis, and claimed Jewish genetic superiority over other “races.” After publishing I posted links to my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
Today, I discovered that while two of the accounts seem to have survived my supposedly ‘disrespectful’ post, Facebook has acceded to a mass reporting of this comment I published, by pro-Israel trolls. Mind you, I published this on my Facebook timeline several times and each of those posts is still accessible.
Unlike in the past, Facebook seems to have removed any means of appealing a suspension (there were ways to do this in the past). There also used to be e mail addresses to which you could turn to appeal such suspensions. But those addresses are discontinued. Here is what I tried to send to Facebook:
My account, https://www.facebook.com/richards1052, was suspended for three days due to a post I published recounting verbatim statements by Israeli rabbis which were racist and advocated making Palestinians servants of Israeli Jews, and declared that Hitler was right in his genocidal approach to races which were genetically inferior. The statements also justified the Holocaust.
I am a journalist. These rabbis made these statements and my goal was to criticize their views. I don’t know how FB can justify suspending an account for reporting accurately statements made by prominent, senior Israeli rabbis. In effect, you’ve censored legitimate speech opposing racism and violence. I urge you to remove the suspension from my account.
Here is the blog post I linked to in my FB account. This post was not removed, though it recounts the same statements.
https://www.facebook.com/richards1052/posts/10157044452502850
If you know how to file an appeal with Facebook, know any executives at Facebook, or have any suggestions about how to approach this, be in touch. But be sure to offer current solutions, since many past ways of dealing with suspensions are no longer valid.
On the bright side, I’m not sure it actually helps Israel if her supporters are allowed to post ‘Hitler was right,’ advocate servitude for gentiles, and claim that Jews are racially superior to everyone else.
How can we help these fine figures gain more attention?
You’re nobody till Facebook bans you. Welcome to the banned club. Greta
A sheynem dank!!
I don’t understand the strong reaction to your piece since The Times of Israel published a account of these racist lectures yesterday. Only they included a statement from the good rabbis claiming that their comments on the positive nature of racism and the natural subservience of non-Jews were taken out of context. Your bad for simply quoting the racist remarks to the prospective soldiers. Their quality of service will undoubtedly be enhanced.
@ Shalom Endleman: No. YOUR bad for believing the fake “explanation” the rabbis offered. I wouldn’t credit anything they said after making the original remarks as they did.
The pro-Israel social media brigade mass reports many Facebook and Twitter accounts and gets them suspended regularly. You don’t have to do much that is actually bad or wrong to be in their sights.
Here’s how to file an appeal with Facebook https://web.facebook.com/help/contact/260749603972907
@ Sagee: That page is for an account that is ‘disabled.’ My account was suspended. Those are 2 separate categories. I don’t think it would’ve worked for me. But if I’m ever suspended again I’ll see if it will work.
It saddens me to see politicism over reaching law & common sense…however this has spilled over to courts and other areas too….Stay strong in your decency….not many have such an expensive gift…
my late father a holocaust survivor taught me that as Jews we are charged to serve all of mankind
unlike the Nazis who wanted to be served
by non- Ariyans
my father wanted me to be a Dr who would make house calls and give indigent patients money to buy their medications
Facebook is an arm of the government , was apparently funded by the CIA (Q-Tel) and is part of the surveillance State , as such censorship by Facebook probably amounts to a violation of your 1st Amendment rights .Perhaps you should contact the ACLU and file suit .