Today it is forbidden to criticize the IDF, tomorrow we wont be able to complain about the cost of living?
In recent days we have witnessed an unprecedented attack on those who dare to criticize government policy or whose opinions are not accepted by the political majority. This attack is part of a trend over several years, to silence criticism and generate fear.
Apart from harming the basic principles of democracy – the freedom of expression and the right of individuals and organizations to operate in the political and public arena – it diverts the public discourse away from the country’s pressing problems: The wave of violence, social inequalities, violations of the human rights of Palestinians and the growing divisions in society.
The freedom of expression is one of our most basic human rights and ACRI has been working to promote this freedom for more than 40 years. We are now concerned that it is being eroded. The public in Israel has become accustomed not to criticize at a time of crisis, and it is now becoming normal not to criticize at all. As we published in our Human Rights Report just last week – silencing people is a slippery slope. We have already started to head down this path and it must be stopped immediately.
Today human rights organizations and people who expressed criticism of the IDF’s operations were denounced as enemies. Tomorrow will it be forbidden to complain about exorbitant food prices or crowding on buses? Will anyone who criticizes the government be a cheater? We will all be traitors. What kind of democracy is this?
We call upon the Israeli public not to be swept away by hatred and intimidation. Every person and organization has the right to express his opinion, even if it is uncomfortable or controversial.
We call on the government to intervene in order to calm the situation and strongly condemn this political persecution. Silence will only fuel another attack.
