Criticism of Israel now a crime in California.

California State Assembly Seeks to Stifle Debate on Israel

California passes resolution defining criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism

So now its a crime to speak against other crimes...

In America, we can criticize our own government (for the time being), but we cant criticize the government of a foreign state???

The control and influence of Israel in the US has to stop. These elected officials are supposed to be representing Americans. Clearly they are more loyal to a foreign nation. Last time I checked, that was a form of treason...

I hope this is challenged in court. Clearly, this is a violation of the First Amendment and freedom in general.

I wouldn't be surprised if this thread is accused of "antisemitism" simply because it draws attention to this issue. This is how bizarre things have gotten in America...

Wowzers...

Not cool in the slightest.

I'm glad I don't live in California. I'm not vocal about Israel, but whenever someone yells about how we need to "protect Israel" I usually roll my eyes and say something along the lines of, "Why? They can take care of themselves. What have we got to do with Israel??" to which the reply is almost always, "They're God's people!" and my answer is, "Then shouldn't God be able to take care of them?"

The truth is, and it's quite disheartening, but unfortunately, the US has a LOT to do with Israel. And it's not a good thing at all...

reply to post by OrphenFire

Right and its one thing to have allies but to what degree?

This is a state that has attacked us on more than one occasion (USS Liberty and the Lavon Affair) sold our state secrets and pressures our government to give them welfare and fight their wars...

With an "ally" like this, who needs enemies?

The Californian resolution can be found here, leginfo.ca.gov...

BILL NUMBER: HR 35 AMENDED
BILL TEXT

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 23, 2012

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Halderman and Bonnie
Lowenthal and Bonnie Lowenthal
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Beall,
Block, Blumenfield, Butler, Cook,
Fong, Furutani, Galgiani, Gatto,
Gordon, Hagman, Mansoor, Miller,
Monning, Portantino, and Williams)

AUGUST 6, 2012

Relative to anti-Semitism.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



WHEREAS, The frequency and severity of incidents of contemporary
global anti-Semitism are increasing according to reports by
representatives from nations around the world, including the United
States Department of State in 2008, the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe in 2004, and the Inter-parliamentary
Coalition for Combating Antisemitism in 2009; and

WHEREAS, On July 20, 2009, the United States Senate unanimously
approved a resolution that unequivocally condemns all forms of
anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to rationalize anti-Jewish hatred
or attacks as a justifiable expression of disaffection or frustration
over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere, and decries
the comparison of Jews to Nazis perpetrating the Holocaust or
genocide as a pernicious form of anti-Semitism; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of State, the United Kingdom'
s All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Anti-semitism

Antisemitism , and the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe have adopted or endorsed the European
Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' working definition of
anti-Semitism, which notes that in context certain language or
behavior demonizes and delegitimizes Israel or attacks Israel with
classic anti-Semitic stereotypes, such as denying the Jewish people
their right to self-determination, applying double standards by
requiring of Israel a behavior not expected or demanded of any other
democratic nation, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli police
to that of the Nazis, and accusing the Jewish people, or Israel, of
inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust; and (see link for good time)

Wacky as this bill is it isn't a crime to criticize Israel, yet. From reading this they want colleges to crack down on any speech criticizing Israel. So long free speech in Cali but at least you guys got weed, for now.

I found this tid bit from the Huff Post link fun,

The resolution was opposed by a wide variety of groups, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Asian Law Caucus, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, yet the Republican-sponsored measure received wide bipartisan support in the Democratic-controlled legislature.

What a load of bullcrap. This should be challenged in court, as it is a clear violation of the First Amendment. Naturally, there will be people who say that it is "hate speech", but criticizing a government doesn't really fall under that "violation of civil rights" issue.

First it'll be "you can't criticize Israel"....then it will be "you can't criticize the United States"....and we can see the slippery slope sliding right into totalitarianism and the abolition of all our rights.

One has to wonder, why create such a law? What are they trying to pull, and more appropriately, what are they trying to hide?

So glad I don't live in California anymore. For every intelligent thing they do, they do two things that are totally stupid and counterproductive towards a free and intelligent society.

reply to post by FissionSurplus

This is what people fail to realize, how they work to gradually destroy freedom.

does this mean i can criticise anyone/anything...except for the most critical state
surley this is a job for PR.....i dont get it, how can critcism be illegal....ever heard of CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

once again...they go after the symptom and not the cause....

try releasing footage from isreal of a BBQ or a wedding....not just murder...then maybe people wont criticise

i still think its a liberty.....

all you smart people.....explain this:

* in isreal you can go to prison for killing a dog......but not for killing a palastnian.
* the whole issue of making jerusalem a jewish only city

a bit racist....maybe
then they make it illegal to be anti semitic....then they make it illegal to comment...

erm who makes these rules...and why do you want to criminalise members of your state...for an opinion that they themselves have aided


ah well
california...located at the end of the world!!!...cant go further west....
peace

If I'm anti-catholic is that being racist against Whites? (the pope is white)
If I'm anti-Islamic am I racist towards middle eastern people's?

Jay-Z had a commercial saying being anti-semetic is racist. Wasn't Sammy Davis jr. A black Jew?

Khazar's twist on racism is nonsense. They need to go follow their holy Torah and leave Americans alone.

reply to post by thepupils


Ive thought the same thing, when I criticize the US government, am I anti-Christian?

The supporters of this Bill would probably argue that people who are antisemitic criticize Israel so they're not directly accused of antisemitism.

But if someone wants to criticize a government which is committing certain acts or has adopted a particular policy, what should one do? Not say anything at all?

Originally posted by gladtobehere
Ive thought the same thing, when I criticize the US government, am I anti-Christian?

No. Criticism of white people, particularity Christians is allowed. In fact, it is positively encouraged.

Criticism of Jews and Muslims however is frowned upon.

Remember,

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"

Animal Farm

I don't see anything in that bill that says you must not criticize Israel, it's just a denouncement of antisemitism.

Of course the anti-Semites are going to paint themselves as victims of the Jewish lobby no matter what Israel does or say. They have a real persecution complex, because of their bigotry towards Jews. You can always spot these bigots a mile away.

The truth of the matter is, people are just getting incredibly tired of the racism against Jews and Israel. There is a huge rise in it Europe from the islamofacists and their sympathizers.

The protest is just more scapegoating and blame junk on the Jews.

Remember, all Zionists Jews are evil and must be opposed at every turn and are responsible for all the world's evils. Why? Because they exist, that's why.

And all Jews are Zionists. Any other claim is crap.

Originally posted by gladtobehere
California passes resolution defining criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism
So now its a crime to speak against other crimes...

You're not being truthful.

The actual resolution says:

Resolved, That the Assembly recognizes recent actions by officials of public postsecondary educational institutions in California and calls upon those institutions to increase their efforts to swiftly and unequivocally
condemn acts of anti-Semitism on their campuses and to utilize existing resources, such as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' working definition of anti-Semitism, to help guide campus discussion about, and promote, as appropriate, educational programs for combating anti-Semitism on their campuses; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

It's not a low, it's a policy to condemn anti-Semitism in public schools, including universities. While it does incorrectly identify criticism of the state of Israel as anti-semitism (nothing new), the resolution is not a law and being saying racist things is not yet illegal in California.

A little truth goes a long way.

reply to post by ollncasino


Criticism of Muslims is discouraged? I feel like it's the opposite, the MSM wants you to fear the Arab Muslim Extremist Terrorist who is definitely coming for you and your family. OMG Sharia Law is going to take over Amerika! Oh noes!! Seriously, people think this.

Criticism of Israel will always be put down negatively, usually followed up with an accusation that the critic is antisemitic, as this new Cali bill further helps prove.

Originally posted by EvilSadamClone

I don't see anything in that bill that says you must not criticize Israel, it's just a denouncement of antisemitism.

Of course the anti-Semites are going to paint themselves as victims of the Jewish lobby no matter what Israel does or say. They have a real persecution complex, because of their bigotry towards Jews. You can always spot these bigots a mile away.

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Link

Be careful throwing away peoples' right to express an opinion just because you disagree with it.

It may well be you who is muzzled and imprisoned next.

How is this a hoax? While it's not a crime this bill is real so why not correct the title and the OP?

reply to post by Swills


The opening post is sensationalism with an agenda. I think it's appropriate to highlight that by placing this in the hoax forum and keeping it unedited.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I see where you're coming from but this is fascinating news so is the OP allowed to try again, only this time without the agenda and lie? I get the feeling the OP didn't really research this is much as he should and assumes a bill automatically equals Law.

reply to post by Swills


The image and over-the-top sensationalist distortion pretty much indicates there was no accidental misinterpretation of the original story. Doubtful that a "second chance" is worth the bother.

reply to post by Swills


It's a hoax because the bigots are claiming something completely different than what the bill says.

The OP has a 2-year precedent to support his interpretation. While "on paper, officially", this doesn't ban outright, things from 2010 already showed the direction...

Focus is "investigate itself" and "Shulamit Aloni".

Remember UC Irvine campus episode with Israeli Ambassador To U.S., Michael Oren?

After which a group of 60 personnel from UC Irvine used peer pressure to accuse a Muslim group of antisemitism?

This post sums up what is it.

And, don't forget that an Israeli judge just in past month, rejected blame for US citizen Rachel Corrie's murder.

Another "investigate itself" loophole.

lee anoma at Muslims Bring Anti-Semitic Activity to the University of California-Irvine
www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread585247/pg1#pid9055729

Originally posted by lee anoma
Gee could it have something to do with the fact that:
"Israeli Ambassador To U.S., Michael Oren, Rejects International Investigation Of Flotilla Deaths" ? - Huffpost.com

No, no...it's always just "antisemitism" right?
And why do people who criticize Israeli policies get called racists?

Lets ask a former member of Israels own cabinet:

“Well, it’s a trick, we always use it. When from Europe somebody is criticizing Israel then we bring up the holocaust. When in this country US) people are criticizing Israel then they are antisemitic. And the organization (Israel Lobby) is very strong and has lot of money. And the ties between Israel and american estab- Jewish establishment are very strong – and they are strong in this country as you know. And they have power which is ok.”

– Former Israeli cabinet minister, Shulamit Aloni (born 1928), during her August 14, 2002 interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/bdec68d9228f.gif[/atsimg]

Yup.

- Lee

Israeli Ambassador To U.S., Michael Oren, Rejects International Investigation Of Flotilla Deaths

First Posted: 06/06/10 11:34 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 05:40 PM ET

www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/06/michael-oren-flotilla-dea_n_602107.html

One of the few ways the Obama administration has attempted to show its displeasure with Israel following the death of pro-Palestinian activists aboard a flotilla was by stressing its support for an international investigation into the incident.

On Sunday, however, Israel's ambassador to the United States stated firmly that the country wouldn't go along with that type or probe and even threw a subtle dig at U.S. officials who felt it was a necessary course of action.

"Israel is a democracy," said Michael Oren, during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. "Israel has the ability and the right to investigate itself, not to be investigated by any international board. I don't think the United States would want an international inquiry into its military activities in Afghanistan, for example."

Asked flatly if he was rejecting the very idea of an international commission, Oren confirmed he was.

"We are rejecting the idea of international commission and we're discussing with the Obama administration the way in which our inquiry will take place, but the notion of an international commission coming along and judging Israel's right to defend itself, that's not [going to happen]," he said.

Oren's stance leaves very little wiggle room for Israel to satisfy the demands of the world community over the flotilla incident. As for the implications it has with U.S.-Israel relations, that's harder to define. The Obama administration has been very careful in leveling critiques at Israeli forces over the seemingly botched raid. And while the president has stressed his support for an international investigation into what happened, that might mean having Israelis run and oversee the investigation but including a few international figures in the investigatory body -- something that Oren didn't necessarily rule out.

(...)