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UN expert slams censorship by Israel, PA
Associated Press
Published: 19.06.12, 12:49
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28 Talkbacks for this article
1. pacifist much should be sidelined
Ray Morton ,   USA   (06.19.12)
Tell this pacifist group to butt out and go somewhere else. Preferably the junles of Africa somewhere in some deserted forest.
2. Cometh now the U.N. -- yet again
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (06.19.12)
Of all the severe restrictions on freedom of expression throughout the world in countries that ARE not subject to constant terror attacks and existential threats, the U.N. chooses to level criticism against Israel. Let's see -- are we to believe that there is untrammeled freedom of expression in the Congo? In Venezuela? In Cuba? In Nicaragua? In China? In Russia? In Myanmar? In Zimbabwe? In Iran? In North Korea? In Pakistan? In Nigeria? In Benin? In the Ivory Coast? In Sierra Leone? In Burkina Faso? The United Nations, as presently constituted, is an organization that has far outlived its usefulness. Want proof? Look no further than Syria. Hamas and the ersatz "Palestine" Authority -- yes; that's what happens when terrorist organizations assume control of civilian populations -- you get gross violations of human rights, including freedom of expression. But Israel? Come on! Doesn't pass the laugh test.
3. UN has it right
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (06.19.12)
It is sad to say, but the UN is correct. We all remember how the Israeli government shut down a radio station it did not like, and then arrested its journalists, with full support of the "High Court"
4. and what did this son of a beeSting have 2 say about Syria?
(06.19.12)
about Iran? about Egypt? about China? about the United States?
5. #3 Radio Kol Hashalom, I assume?
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.19.12)
The one that was operating illegally in Israeli territory, claiming it was operating in Palestinian territory and under their law? The one that started its operations in the mid-90's by disrupting IDF operational frequencies? It's a piratical radio station. It shifted regional jurisdictions on many occasions to escape legal persecution, and only *supposedly* went to Ramallah to escape legal repercussions. It remains a station aimed at Israelis, mostly. It did not bother with permits. It had a widespread history of illegal activities, and only escaped notice for several years due to lack of attention and "creative" operations. It was shut down, just like Channel 7 Radio and several religious channels were shut down, over time. Because radio frequency oversight is there for a reason, and it's illegal to operate outside of that oversight.
6. For a change, the United Nothings have it right
Allan ,   PT   (06.19.12)
Free Speech in Israel is only for the Left. The Jewish Right may not even have a radio station and haredim have no Freedom of Speech right whatsoever.
7. Does Anyone take the UN or the so called NGOs Seriously?
Netanya ,   Netanya   (06.19.12)
The NGOs are corrupt, they spread hatred and terror in the palis, they exacerbate the problem. The NGOs are the ones who keep the fire of hatred against Israel and Jews burning strongly. Let the UN do as they choose; didn't we already decide that they are a waste of time, an islamic front? While Syria kills little kids every day, this is what they UN is talking about?
8. Sod Z'vahi...Respect it..
Mark ,   Lodz, Poland   (06.19.12)
...and sod Frankie La Rue's maligned allegations. What does this theorist really understand about Israel's security requirements. Nada! The 'Sod Z'vahi' contributes to the IDF being the formidable fighting force that it is
9. Who cares what the pathetic UN thinks!!!
Jake Stone ,   USA   (06.19.12)
God bless, Israel; praying for the peace of Jerusalem!
10. It depends which countries...
British freethinker ,   UK   (06.19.12)
....you want to measure yourself by. And the US ain't a great example either. We are battling to keep the BBC impartial at this very moment (seeing as we pay for it) and the BBC isn't that bad considering. But it still needs protecting and improving.
11. NB Impartial means...
British freethinker ,   UK   (06.19.12)
....that you present both sides of the story with arguments for and against, with interviews of people arguing their case from both sides and you allow the reader/listener to make their own minds up.
12. UN Fail
Jake in Jerusalem ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (06.19.12)
It is interesting to note that the 60,000 Africans in Israel who are legally recognized as refugees get not a penny from the UN while the 1-2 million "Palestinians" in Israel who cannot possibly still be considered refugees get billions from the UN. Mr. La Rue, you should be ashamed for being associated with such an incompetent, bigoted and useless organization like the UN. Shame on you both.
13. Israel is country at war. Higher level
leo ,   usa   (06.19.12)
of censorship than normally would've be is well justified. Nobody needs another Anat Kam or Bradley Manning.
14. Everybody together
deavman ,   Acco, Israel   (06.19.12)
I slam, you slam we slam they slam.....The UN can slam all it wants, the facts and reality on the ground are what we care about..
15. must have been a slow day in syria
ralph   (06.19.12)
16. Censorship
Adam Neira ,   Paris, France   (06.19.12)
Some censorship, oversight and monitoring of the public media sphere is warranted in any nation. You can cast a protective eye over your charges without being a "snoop".
17. 6
zionist forever   (06.19.12)
I agree with you 101% New leader of Meretz Zehavia Gal-On petitioned the courts to close down the Arutz 7 radio station and she got her way. She later tried and failed to get the courts to close down both the Arutz 7 and Jpost websites. If somebody like Liberman had tried to get the Haaretz website closed down the left would up in arms shouting about the right trying to silence them and they probably would be complaining to the United Ninkumpoops. A peacenick draft dodger is a hero but a haredi who opts not to serve in the because they have a legal right to do so is a traitor and should not be allowed any state benefits. The left love to play the morality card by barking on about free speech but free speech limited to left wing points of view.
18. For a change, the United Nothings said it right
(06.19.12)
Free Speech in Israel is only for the Left. The Jewish Right may not even have a radio station and haredim have no Freedom of Speech right whatsoever.
19. #5
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (06.19.12)
The identity of the station is not important, the fact that the "High Court" prevents freedom of speech and freedom of occupation is. Aby Nathan's Kol Hashalom started operating legally from international waters, but as time went by moved into Israeli waters. Because Nathan was an extreme Leftist, no one cared about whether or not the transmissions were legal. The only radio station I know that was shut down with "High Court" collaboration was Arutz 7. Although there were allegations by the Sharon Regime that the transmissions interfered with the airport, these were all proven false.
20. Agree with UN????Amazing...
Brana Lobel ,   Israel   (06.19.12)
I never thought the day would come when I agreed with anything said at the UN. The day has come. Israeli powers that be, whether military, governmental, or newspaper owners/editors censor just about everything including domestic news that has a relationship to national security only in the mind of someone who shares character traits with the late Sen Joseph McCarthy. BTW as I write this I see a virtual cockroach crawling across my computer screen courtesy of a YNET advertiser. Way to go Israel! You guys really know how to present the news...not.
21. What?!?!? There are NO laws against NGOs!
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (06.19.12)
The law was never passed.
22. Some advise to UNHRC & Mr. Frank la rue.
tiki ,   belgium   (06.19.12)
The NGO's and ''peace terrorists who have a problem that Israel is not sharing it's military protocols with them and starts looking into their funding...., should stay where the are........, at home! These comments also show that Israel is doing the right thing. The 'peace terrorists are getting nervous and so is their apotropus, the UNHRC.
23. #10, bbc impartial thanks needed the laugh
Danny   (06.19.12)
24. ;) ,...
split ,   US   (06.19.12)
Censorship in Israel, the only democracy in that region the shining light to the rest of the free world, oh no ;),... 2 out of 3 of my comments on Jewish/Israeli forums never see the daylight so I feel your pain, really ;) ,...
25. #19 Quite a lot of stations were shut down.
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.19.12)
Several religious ones, a *lot* of Arabic ones, too. Kol Hashalom another - which didn't *quite* break the law in its 70's era, but rather later down the line. Essentially, there used to be a time where you couldn't even get a license - the 70's were such a time. In the 90's onward, you *could* get a license, and anyone who didn't was thus treated a lot more heavy-handedly, and not just Arutz Sheva. I've read quite a few reports about radio interfering with military and airport airwaves. They're quite shocking once you realize what a mess airwaves are around here. Yes, maybe Arutz Sheva didn't cause direct harm, but it had the potential to when it operated outside of regulatory lines. Yes, it was a bad case. However, not one party involved tried to resolve the matter responsibly - it was all politics and favors. Don't forget that the High Court disqualified a law that tried to retroactively legalize Arutz Sheva based on its time of operation - retroactiveness in laws tends to be treated badly, so even if it wasn't of a specific political bend, the courts would have looked down on that law, since it was a law that contradicted other laws.
26. #24. Only two thirds sensored? They should censor all ;)
Harry Wright ,   UK   (06.19.12)
and spare us your drivel.
27. Martial Law
Kevin JohnLee ,   Glasgow/UK   (06.19.12)
Israel is a Democracy,but as some forget,overlook,or just plain dont realise is that Martial Law was imposed on her,by her peacefull neighbours,if!! you wanna find out how severe this makes life look to the UK and life there from 1939 to 1946 etc.under the circumstances life in Israel is pretty good. Shalom Rav.
28. @23 It depends....
British Freethinker ,   UK   (06.19.12)
.....on whether you want to hear both sides of an argument...or just yours.
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