ANTI-SEMITIC HATE SPEECH IN EUROPEGroup 3

Eric McNamaraSpencer AardemaMarcus HahneJacqueline Sweeney

WHAT’S THE STORY? 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

CAUSES OF CONFLICT 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

CAUSES OF CONFLICTThese conflicts lead to

Hate Speech and online Verbal Aggression. Many comments included: Profanity Insults Bullying Threats

Anti Semites in Europe

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION 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.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION 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.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION 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.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION 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.

WHAT WE LEARNED 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.

GROUP PROCESS 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 4th 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/email 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.

REFERENCESBlank, C. (2014). Explosion of Anti-Semitic Hate Speech

in Europe During Gaza Op. Arutz Sheva Israel National News. Retrieved from http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/187509#.VH3K-Ern-ih

Evans, M. (2014). The Hashtag Conflict. Sysomos. Retrieved from http://blog.sysomos.com/2014/08/01/hashtag-conflict/

Nobis, L. (2008). Conflict Analysis [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/264484/files/38873678/download?verifier=s8jpJBcnV4wH8SOxGZlBfadifAfdyNySoXqWVdjj&wrap=1

Nobis, L. (2008). Verbal Aggression [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/264484/files/38874164/download?verifier=97jxKcUAipOzDF6lrzWwjgamZVYcdnNMH2YFPIh0&wrap=1