Sometimes you must be the voice you wish you were seeing online. The discourse (especially on social media) around what is happening in Israel and Gaza right now is taking the form of social justice clickbait. I’ve been posting some warnings and information over the past week, on my own social media channels, about how much of the messaging we are seeing can be both hurtful and dangerous to Jews the world over.
You can disagree with the Israeli Government and stand up against horrific violence without being antisemitic. But to do that you also have to put in a little more work than simply retweeting celebrities and politicians.
A few suggestions from someone who has been very dismayed, and often frightened, by the content online these past few days:
- Give context to your hashtags. If all you are posting is something that says #freepalestine most of the people reading your content will not know for certain whether you are standing with the Palestinian people and their right to safety and liberty, or if you are advocating for the abolishment of Israel and the death of everyone who lives there. Make sure you are clear about the message you are sending.
- Source your statistics and info graphs. Many people have posted information from sources that (despite what the group’s name may lead you to believe) are known for perpetuating antisemitism. If you’re not sure about a source, try seeing if they are listed on the ADL’s website.
- Get a broader picture. While you may only be seeing all of this on social media, while you may only be paying attention to stories coming out of the Middle East, this week has affected people (many Jews especially) all over the world.
- A few stories you may have missed this week:
- An Israeli reporter was attacked with firecrackers in Berlin
- A Pro Iran Twitter account got antisemitic hate trending on social media
- Protesters in Austria who were supposed to be marching against the military action in Gaza instead chanted about the massacre of Jews
- A synagogue in Norwich England was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
- Synagogues in Germany were stoned and flags burned
- A Florida Holocaust Center was targeted by antisemitic protesters
I like to believe that the people I know who are posting online as the events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold have nothing but the best intentions. I ask that you use those best intentions and make sure you are not doing more harm than good. Words have their own consequences. Use yours wisely. Make sure you mean what you say.