‘Social media’ gives new dimension to Gaza

MARY KLUK

At the time of writing, there is no sign of any let-up in the fighting taking place in Gaza itself, while missiles continue to imperil the lives of Israel’s citizens. Whatever long-term solutions might be explored after this latest bout of conflict is over, Israel’s focus now can only be to locate and destroy the Hamas military infrastructure that has been assiduously built up in recent years and which now poses so deadly a threat to its people.

Periods of increased violence in the Middle East have always resulted in an upsurge of hostility towards our own community. What has made this conflict markedly different from previous such upsurges has been the now ubiquitous penetration of the social media, which has provided a platform for anyone with a cell phone to propagate in the public domain whatever hateful views he or she wishes.

Previously, publishing one’s views was subject to some kind of external screening process on the part of the media body to which it was submitted. Generally speaking, it meant that overtly racist and/or inflammatory material was weeded out beforehand.

With the social media, however, no such regulatory process is in place. At best, it is possible for unacceptable discourse to be removed after the fact, but by then most of the damage has been done. The social media is one of the most powerful communications tools of our time, but the potential for it to be abused makes it a decidedly mixed blessing.

While it is not possible to prevent people from posting virulently anti-Semitic material online, we are at least able to take action in cases where those responsible are in clear-cut violation of the right to dignity and equality of those being targeted.

The SAJBD’s responses have included lodging to date formal complaints of anti-Semitic hate speech against two individuals with the SA Human Rights Commission, combined in one case with criminal charges laid with the police.

Regarding other instances of hate speech that have come to our attention, these are being analysed and investigated to determine what action should be taken. As always, we rely very much on the public to keep us informed about what is happening. To this end, in partnership with the SAZF, we have set up a hotline number through which anti-Semitic incidents or biased media can be reported. The number to call is 071 921 0570.

Along with other Board spokespeople, I have also been called upon on several occasions to comment in the media on the Gaza situation. In defending Israel against the many untrue and unjust charges that are being levelled against it, I have also emphasised how great a tragedy the conflict is and that we, as a community, empathise with all innocent victims, regardless of which side of the border they are found.

We can only hope and pray for a speedy end to this time of such great loss and suffering, while remembering that notwithstanding the hateful discourse propagated by some elements of our society, the great majority of our fellow-South Africans undoubtedly share this view.