A NTI -S EMITIC H ATE S PEECH IN E UROPE Group 3 Eric McNamara Spencer Aardema Marcus Hahne Jacqueline Sweeney
W HAT ’ S THE S TORY ? A report was released detailing the increase of anti- Semitic hate speech incidents during the Israel-Hamas war this past summer Most of these remarks were made on social media sites throughout many European countries Many even included incitements to violence against Jews This conflict is ongoing, and has escalated in the last couple weeks
C AUSES OF C ONFLICT Interest Conflict: War between the two countries creates obvious competition Value Conflict: Ancestral, deep-seeded differences in ways of life, ideology, and religion between the two countries creates conflict and misunderstanding Relationship Conflict: Many of the hate speech comments are likely caused by misperceptions and stereotypes
C AUSES OF C ONFLICT These conflicts lead to Hate Speech and online Verbal Aggression. Many comments included: Profanity Insults Bullying Threats Anti Semites in Europe
R ECOMMENDATIONS FOR R ESOLUTION Although Free Speech is important, there’s a line to be drawn. In these situations where extreme hate is displayed, some even including threats, the website or service should block the user or remove that particular message. Although the authors of the messages would still need some help, blocking/removing the messages would help stop the spread of Hate Speech to others.
R ECOMMENDATIONS FOR R ESOLUTION Governments could create “open speech websites.” Citizens could participate in conversations with knowledgeable, unbiased history professors or government officials about the positive effects of Jewish people in history. This would at least open a door to those that are open- minded and seeking more information, and spread ideas to help people understand the importance of accepting diversity.
R ECOMMENDATIONS FOR R ESOLUTION The report recommended that states/countries adopt the "Working Definition of Anti- Semitism." The definition was enacted in 2005, but later dropped. It includes references to the demonization of Israel. Re-enacting this definition would help “draw the line” in these situations, making it easier to punish violators and prevent future conflicts.
R ECOMMENDATIONS FOR R ESOLUTION Places in the world that struggle with a biased population should require citizens to take diversity/communication classes, much like what we’re taking right now. These classes can help communicate the importance of accepting other people’s cultures and religions.
W HAT W E L EARNED Hate speech often leads to violence, as it has in this case, so it’s important to try resolving conflicts early on How deeply ingrained some conflicts are (some dating back hundreds or even thousands of years) How difficult it may be trying to resolve these age-old conflicts, as it’s all some people might know and live with Hopefully, through spreading tolerance, diversity, and communication, people can start to understand and resolve some of these issues.
G ROUP P ROCESS To keep everything together, we did all our communication through an announcement in Canvas. Our plan was to have 3 people research a different aspect, and have the 4 th person compile everything while designing the presentation. This method has proven effective in the past, but we had issues with members not responding to messages and requests, leaving us to divide more work to less people. Since our only issues were other members answering, we might have asked for their personal phone/ addresses. Though, we’re not sure if they’d have seen/responded to that either. Overall, we made due and are pleased with the final result.
R EFERENCES Blank, C. (2014). Explosion of Anti-Semitic Hate Speech in Europe During Gaza Op. Arutz Sheva Israel National News. Retrieved from VH3K-Ern-ih VH3K-Ern-ih Evans, M. (2014). The Hashtag Conflict. Sysomos. Retrieved from Nobis, L. (2008). Conflict Analysis [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from nload?verifier=s8jpJBcnV4wH8SOxGZlBfadifAfdyNySoXqWV djj&wrap=1 nload?verifier=s8jpJBcnV4wH8SOxGZlBfadifAfdyNySoXqWV djj&wrap=1 Nobis, L. (2008). Verbal Aggression [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from nload?verifier=97jxKcUAipOzDF6lrzWwjgamZVYcdnNMH2Y FPIh0&wrap=1 nload?verifier=97jxKcUAipOzDF6lrzWwjgamZVYcdnNMH2Y FPIh0&wrap=1