Antisemitism Online: Cyberspace and the Media

FOR THE PARTICIPANTS LIST CLICK HERE

The Internet can be a powerful and virulent platform for antisemitism. The impact of Internet-based antisemitism is not limited to the online world; it can lead to real-world violence, such as terrorism and hate crimes. It facilitates the spread of hate across national borders and allows for a new level of coordination between hate groups. Postmodernism and new trends in technology see the rise of ‘Antisemitism 2.0’ – the use of the viral nature of social media to create acceptance of antisemitism as nothing more than an alternative view.

Seemingly innocuous Internet services are being used to spread hate; search engines, the gatekeepers to the Internet often hide educational gems while offering up conspiracy theories and hate site as ‘resources.’ A search for the word ‘Jew’ on Google still reveals a virulently antisemitic website in the top few results. Many other innocent searches likewise lead to dangerous propaganda. A fringe group's antisemitic website can be ranked as a top result on Google and Yahoo, achieving worldwide viewership. The newest search engine, Bing, seems more prone to this problem than its rivals.

Another major service provider declared Holocaust denial would not be regarded as hate. Blogs are now being used for impromptu campaigns against the Jewish state, some of them clearly based on hate. A classic blood libel in a Swedish newspaper was spread around the world through the Internet.

In the few years since the advent of YouTube, Wikipedia, Facebook, MySpace and other Web 2.0 technologies, we have seen a sudden and rapidly increasing wave of antisemitic videos, ‘affinity groups,’ online commentary and images around the world. New developments such as Twitter allow hate based propaganda to circle the globe at an increasing pace. While there have been some successes in stopping or blocking the spread of online hate, we face an uphill battle.

The Global Forum recognizes the urgent need to combat antisemitism online and in the media. As such we have convened this working group to address and discuss what is being done, and what needs to be done, to mitigate or prevent the spread of antisemitism through the internet.

Invitation to participate:

Participants are invited to submit a one page abstract describing a particular project or response they, or organizations they represent, have undertaken to combat online antisemitism. These will be compiled as a survey of global activities. A selection of the participants will be invited to present to the working group. We also invite half page descriptions of the challenges ahead, and potential approaches. These will be discussed in the working group and presented to the forum as recommendations.