More Attacks On Freedom Of Speech

[Untitled]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/12/germany-cancels-pro-palestine-event-bars-entry-to-gaza-war-witness
 

a congress on palestine was shut down by the german police over the weekend because one of the attendees - a British surgeon and university dean - volunteered in hospitals in Gaza and was due to address the congress over zoom

[ynnafymmi]

A hate-fest was closed down in Brussels a couple of days ago,looks like the German cops are doing similar with hate-fests in their country also.

[Untitled]

is there any evidence that it was promoting hate?

[ToraToraTora]

"is there any evidence that it was promoting hate?" - it's pro palestine, of course it's promoting hate! gawd you're naive!

[ynnafymmi]

Remember the Germans have had problems with anti-semitic nut-jobs in the past,perhaps they dont want any more anti-semitism in their country anymore?

[Untitled]

still not seeing any evidence that this event was advocating hate 

 

[ynnafymmi]

Sounds to me that this event wasnt going to be a pro-Jew hate-fest.Sounds to me that this was just another pro-Palestinian terrorist hate-fest.Looks like the German cops thought the same as me.

[Untitled]

anyone who openly sympathises with palestine is guilty of hatred then. what a sensible way of looking at the world. 
 

readers will note that the german police have enjoyed the support of the german government which did not happen in brussels... the event there was allowed to carry on later whereas this one has actually been outright banned. apparently nobody cares lol. 
 

free speech for us... but not for anyone else!

[ynnafymmi]

As i was saying the German people have had anti-semitic problems in their recent past,they dont want an upsurgence of any form of anti-semitism nowadays.

[Untitled]

then i will ask again... where is the proof that this was an anti-semitic event?

[ToraToraTora]

11:08 Lets see, Israel are currently involved in a military operation in Palestine. It's a pro Palestine event, what do you think will be the main topic of conversation? The price of shisha baccy? Perhaps they are discussing the Bus routes! gawd elp us!

[New Judge]

"A hate-fest was closed down in Brussels a couple of days ago,looks like the German cops are doing similar with hate-fests in their country also."

You've obviously not kept up with the news.

The "hate-fest" you are referring to was a meeting of the National Conservatism group. The left-wing mayor of Brussels, Emir Kir, ordered police to close the event on dubious grounds of "a threat of public disorder". Those grounds seemed somewhat more dubious when he pronounced (on "X", where else?):

“Among these personalities there are several particularly from the right-conservative, religious right and European extreme right” adding “The far right is not welcome”.

However, the organisers took the case to Belgium's highest civil court. A a judge there quashed the mayor's order and allowed the event to resume for its second day:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/national-conservatism-brussels-police-braverman-farage-b2530001.html

I've no details of the event in Germany, but what you describe as a "hate-fest" in Brussels was nothing of the sort. It was a meeting of people who had right wing leanings and who differ considerably on a number of issues with the views held by  others. In particular the group is anxious that individual nation-state identity in Europe is preserved and it opposes the ambition of the EU to strive for "ever closer unity."

It is significant that the EU elections (for what they are worth) take place in a couple of months' time and there is considerable opposition in Europe to some of the EU's aims and plans. Those who oppose some of the EU's policies are expected to have some success in those elections.

However, mayor Kir's actions were widely condemned by politicians from across the spectrum (including the EU itself) as a dangerous attack on free speech and political assembly.

So before you prattle on about "hate fests" you would do well to investigate the issues properly. I don't like much of what those on the Left or those in praise of the EU say. But the day they are prevented from saying it - especially by a two bob pipsqeak of a mayor - will be the day I might consider taking to the streets myself.

[Untitled]

"Lets see, Israel are currently involved in a military operation in Palestine. It's a pro Palestine event"

and therefore... what? is it hate to oppose what israel is doing in gaza? who are you to say so? in fact who is anyone?

[JDavis]

You're obviously right, untitled. It's weird what sometimes passes for logic on this site.

[naomi24]

If I'm reading that right, two speakers were subject to bans on political activity in Germany.  Germany, for obvious reasons, is extremely sensitive to anti-semitic rhetoric.  

[Untitled]

but what are they defining as "anti-semitism"? it seems to me that the word is often used for opposing Israel. Germany also has a problematic past with protecting freedom of speech... they don't seem too worried about that.

[naomi24]

//but what are they defining as "anti-semitism"?//

 

We don't know that the problem is anti-semitism - I mentioned that because of the nature of the meeting.  What we do know is that the speakers are subject to bans on political activity in Germany.

[Untitled]

the meeting was not anti-semitic

[naomi24]

You can't know what was planned.

[Untitled]

well actually some of the attendees did publish the speeches they were due to give. i haven't seen any evidence of anti semitism and nor has any been provided. 
 

people appear to have read the words "palestine" and assumed that it means "hamas" or "anti semitic". there is no evidence at all that this event was doing anything other than criticising germany's armament of israel. 
 

how very telling it is that New Judge is alone in defending the rights of people that he disagrees with to practise free expression. none of those who rightfully expressed outrage over Brussels (now overturned) has anything bad to say about the same thing being done to people they don't like!! pathetic. 

[naomi24]

untitled, //how very telling it is that New Judge is alone in defending the rights of people that he disagrees with to practise free expression//

 

Really?  What have I said about my thoughts on free expression?