Bard spotting on Bluesky 04 November 2024

Ms. Penny Oaken, SkyWitch (@skywitches.net):

Years ago, /r/AgainstHateSubreddits was approached and asked to formally adopt the IHRA definition on antisemitism as our official working definition of antisemitism. We read and analysed the definition and came to the conclusion that it was submarining uncritical support of the state of Israel.

Rachel Gilmore (@rachelgilmore.bsky.social):

🚨NEW: Canada's new guide to combatting antisemitism poses "great risks" to all Canadians who advocate for international human rights, progressive Jewish organizations are warning.

It's all thanks to an IHRA Definition that keeps being instrumentalized.

@eladn.bsky.social helps me break this down:

Ms. Penny Oaken, SkyWitch (@skywitches.net):

It is simply because the IHRA definition has an explicit example, "… claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour", as a stipulated antisemitic speech act.

This aspect alone of the otherwise-balanced & thorough definition is absolute carte blanche against Arabs.

Ms. Penny Oaken, SkyWitch (@skywitches.net):

This was long before the October 7 incident and the following actions taken by Israel with the overwhelming appearance of genocide targeting Arab Palestinians.

Institutions that commit to the IHRA definition commit to supporting Israel even if they commit genocide.

Ms. Penny Oaken, SkyWitch (@skywitches.net):

There are many (MANY) antisemitic views which package their antisemitism in the claim that Israel is a racist endeavour.

That doesn't mean that racist endeavours undertaken by Israel targeting Arabs are to be given carte blanche