Meta bans the use of the word ‘Zionist’ as a derogatory term

[Aren 965]

This is a great step in combating anti-Semitism. Zionist is not a bad word, and it didn’t have any negative connotation until white supremacist KKK leader David Duke started using it in such manner.

 

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,612]

That's actually crazy since the 2 words aren't synonymous, but alright. 

[OMF 3,649]

Plus there are lots of famous Jewish Americans and others who go by “zionist”. Banning everything that could/may offend someone is too much. Not much to do with Jewish people but all to do with Israel and their relationship with the US. 

[phantasmas 12,366]

this is some ass backwards dookie 

[phantasmas 12,366]

and f**k Zuckerbutt forever and always 

[Sorcerer 12,526]

The owner is a Zionist wbk... we can use Ziop*gs instead 

[Versace 8,077]

Still gonna use Zionist to call out the genocide sympathizers 

[Aren 965]

15 minutes ago, Sorcerer said:

The owner is a Zionist wbk... we can use Ziopigs instead 

‘Ziopig’ 

 

congrats, you just used a white supremacist term.

This is what the ban is about.

 

[Didymus 34,380]

This is crazy. This is literally like protecting the word "Nazi".

We've already seen Meta censoring Palestinians, Palestinian freedom speech,... and using this false "antisemitism under the guise of anti-Zionism" logic to demonize legitimate protests, including Jewish protests The ban itself is antisemitic.

I mean, look at the quote in the article:

"For too long, antisemites have been allowed their incitement and Jew hatred by merely changing key words like Zionists and Zionism, which is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people in its indigenous and ancestral homeland"

So they are admitting Zionism is a colonialist settler movement, which is exactly the problem. ****ing tragic.

[Jill 31,812]

Zionist scum is still scum whether Zuck likes it or not  

[Future Lovers 7,541]

31 minutes ago, Aren said:

 

This is what the ban is about.

 

It's not, and let's not pretend that it is. We know exactly what this ban is about and it has nothing to do with hate speech. 

[ProfessionalClown 10,647]

Zionism is terrorism idc. Seeing how Gaza looks like a wasteland and i’ve had to see d3ad children all over my timeline, i will call Zionists exactly what they are.

Dont wanna be connected to a bad term or word? Don’t do bad things. 

[skedaddleBItCh 2,821]

That's so absurd 

[LOVEDRUG 11,254]

good. criticism of zionism isn't wrong and it's only healthy to public discourse to ensure it's allowed, but it isn't incorrect that 'zionist' is one of the most common proxies for 'jew' when trying to be antisemitic at the moment. many of the conspiracy theories about zionists that are currently circulating are little more than repackaged antisemitic conspiracy theories pulled right out of early 20th century europe.

it's possible to accept and acknowledge that a worrying chunk of the discourse caused *by* what's happening in gaza (not the discourse about it, the discourse caused by it) is antisemitic, whilst also being pro-palestine and anti-israel. it shouldn't be hard to denounce antisemitism.

[Didymus 34,380]

45 minutes ago, edengowon said:

good. criticism of zionism isn't wrong and it's only healthy to public discourse to ensure it's allowed, but it isn't incorrect that 'zionist' is one of the most common proxies for 'jew' when trying to be antisemitic at the moment. many of the conspiracy theories about zionists that are currently circulating are little more than repackaged antisemitic conspiracy theories pulled right out of early 20th century europe.

it's possible to accept and acknowledge that a worrying chunk of the discourse caused *by* what's happening in gaza (not the discourse about it, the discourse caused by it) is antisemitic, whilst also being pro-palestine and anti-israel. it shouldn't be hard to denounce antisemitism.

Ok, but, in practice, these initiatives often do not direct their attention towards those conspiracy theories and the actual antisemitism but towards legitimate criticism/protest of Israel lol.

Even this press release says it: Zionism cannot be conflated with Israel. This is a political statement that deliberately blurs the line between hate speech and politics. This is how we've seen entire protests (incl. Jewish ones) be demonized and even threatened with legal persecution.

The Palestinian freedom movement denounces antisemitism as part of its own discourse and momentum, that's why it has attracted so many Jewish individuals, Jewish human rights workers/groups, Jewish journalists,... This specific ban of "Zionist" is laughable in this context. You can easily target real antisemitism without zooming in on people using one word and making general rules about that word. The logic isn't there. This solely benefits the Zionist movement.

Meanwhile pro-Israelis get to spew actual genocidal filth all day long on social media and literally nothing is done about it.