While we're at it, the "N" word is also banned, except in circumstances like those described above, and even then, it should be referred to as "the N word." (added at 6:54 PM EST: curse words are discouraged. The "C" word, offensive to many women, is also banned, and bigoted and hate speech are not tolerated.
Violators will be warned, and depending on their connection to the community, be given one or more chances, unless it is their first posting, in which case, they may be summarily banned. You dont' start off a conversation in a new community with hate speech, or language that is oft abused for hate speech.
The bottom line is that criticism of Israel is fine. Defense of Israel is fine. Criticism of Israeli settlers and politicians is fine. Criticism of all Jews in Israel, or all Jews, or all Muslims in Palestine or all Muslims is not acceptable. (added at 6:52 PM EST; Criticism of religions' behaviors, policy, extremes, is touchy and must be done without vitriol or hate, but it is allowed and has been allowed often on this site.)
It is expected that we will lose some readers and some writers with this policy. But we also believe that this policy will build on the civility and integrity of the site. Those who want to raise complaints will be able to do so, but will be required to do it with language that is precise, clear and aimed at shining light on truth, not indulging anger or hate.
Our site has a history of being very open to this kind of discussion. Any attempt to accuse it of bias or censorship can easily be refuted by a simple search on the tags for Israel, Palestine, Middle east. This new policy will enable us to continue keeping the discussion open, while minimizing the worst abuses of the forum we provide.
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
added after comments started:
Wikipedia defines censorship :
Censorship is defined as the removal and/or withholding of information from the public by a controlling group or body.
There's none of that here-- just the challenge to use other words.
The truth is that if the words were used with integrity and good intentions, there wouldn't be a problem But they are not. They are abused as thinly veiled ways for anti-semites to spew their hate. This is abusive and painful to many and there is no reason why it should be tolerated. In a totally controlled media situation, like most mainstream media sites operate, it is possible to pay someone to screen every comment before it is posted. There, that kind of use of the words can be filtered out. But we don't have those resources here, so we made a choice, to protect our readers, our community from such abuse. The decision was made after more than a year of deliberation and attempts at other approaches.
added at 5:15 EST:
There are hip hoppers who use the N word. That doesn't make it right. Most African Americans find it offensive. Most Americans find it offensive. And if people abuse the words, then it hurts innocent people. And I don't see you complaining about that word, which, at one time, say 50 or 100 years ago, was socially acceptable.
Anyway, I got tired of dealing with all the hate that came with the words. By the way, it's already working. Some people using other words, are showing their true antisemitic nature. Others will be able to talk about any issue. And very likely, by having to use other words, they'll have to think about the issues in different, less reflex-driven ways.
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