Not all criticism of Israel ‘anti-Semitic’

JEWISH groups employ a wellfunded, multi-pronged effort to harass and silence critics of Israel by labelling them anti-Semites. Despite what some pro-Israel organisations would have us believe, not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. Like all countries, Israel has a duty to uphold international human rights laws.

Professor Marc Lamont Hill was fired from CNN as a commentator after some right-wing advocates for Israel objected to his UN speech defending the rights of Palestinians.

Hill gave his speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. He described Palestinians’ worsening conditions and the Israeli government operating an apartheid regime and engaging in “settler colonialism” against the Palestinians. The pro-Israeli rightwing outrage machine instantly branded Hill an anti-Semite, and accused him of “hate speech”.

CNN engages in selective protection of its journalists. Marc Lamont Hill is fired for his off the job opinion. So what is demonstrated here? Without getting into the fine print of Hill’s contract – and it must be an unreadable size stating that if you are under contract with CNN while on personal time you cannot express an opinion on injustice against Palestinians? Hill was likely targeted because CNN is not about free speech or equality for all people; just some political, religious and military bullies. CNN was absolutely cowardly in giving in to the pressure to fire him.