Thinly-veiled propaganda for Israel at @techcrunch today, surprisingly. Not teh venue I’d have expected to see this.

I left the following comment in the thread, addressed to the author:

Israel has “total” freedom of speech? Then why is it now illegal to speak in support of the Boycott movement?

http://www.forward.com/articles/139822/

Also, where was the freedom of the press in discussing the case of Anat Kam?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0408/Press-freedom-vs.-state-security-Israel-s-Anat-Kam-faces-jail-for-leaking-army-files

Also, in 2009 Israel’s ranking for freedom of the press (by Reporters without Borders) fell 47 spots to 67 out of 175, thanks to Gaza war censorship by the government.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-ranks-low-for-freedom-of-press-after-gaza-war-media-ban-1.5765

Look, I value nationalism and pride. But propaganda like this undermines the valid reasons to applaud the demonstrators. In a way, you have discredited them.

Celebrate the courage of your fellow Israelis in standing up for social justice. But scoring cheap points against Arabs and the UK? Disgraceful. Face it, friend, since the Arab youth and protestors live under autocracies, they have shown a lot more courage in their demonstrations than your compatriots – because they really are putting their lives on the line, for freedom.

Perhaps you should be praising them and articulating a message of solidarity for your Arab brothers instead of taking cheap shots.