The Anti-Defamation League, which is supposed to be all about fighting hate and bigotry, just went full mask-off and got a bunch of Wikipedia editors banned for trying to provide accurate information about what’s happening in Palestine. This is some next-level censorship bullshit that’s gonna have serious consequences for how we access information about one of the most important conflicts in the world right now.

The ADL’s Power Play

Let’s break this down. The Apartheid Defense League, which claims to be this bastion of truth and justice, just flexed its muscles and got Wikipedia to topic ban a whole crew of editors who were working on Israel-Palestine related articles. We’re talking about people like Selfstudier, Nableezy, Nishidani, Levivich, and Iskandar323 – editors who’ve been putting in work to make sure Wikipedia’s coverage of the conflict is accurate and balanced!

Now, the ADL is out here acting like they just scored some big victory for “truth” or whatever. Their CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, is patting himself on the back, saying they’re “pleased” that Wikipedia took “disciplinary action” against editors who were supposedly spreading “malicious, false and biased information about Zionism and Israel”.

But let’s be real – what the ADL calls “biased” is usually just information that doesn’t fit their pro-Israel imperialism narrative.

The Real Impact

Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world. It’s where millions of people go to get information on pretty much everything, including complex geopolitical issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict.

By getting these editors banned, the ADL is effectively controlling the narrative about what’s happening in Gaza and the West Bank.

Think about it – if you’re some random person trying to understand why there’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, you’re probably gonna hit up Wikipedia.

But now, the editors who were working to include information about Israeli war crimes, the ongoing occupation, and the suffering of Palestinians are being silenced. It’s like if we were writing about American history and banned anyone who wanted to talk about slavery or the genocide of Native Americans.

The ADL’s Credibility Problem

Now, here’s where it gets really fucked up. The ADL isn’t just some neutral observer in all this.

They’ve got a serious credibility problem when it comes to Israel and Palestine. In fact, last year, Wikipedia’s editors voted to declare the ADL “generally unreliable” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

That’s right – the same organization that’s now celebrating the banning of editors was itself deemed too biased to be used as a reliable source on this topic.

But it gets even worse. The Wikipedia editors also said the ADL shouldn’t be cited for factual information on antisemitism because they’ve basically turned into a pro-Israel propaganda machine[2]. They’re out here labeling any criticism of Israel as antisemitism, which is not only bullshit but also dangerous because it waters down the meaning of actual antisemitism.

The Chilling Effect

This whole situation is gonna have a massive chilling effect on Wikipedia editors. Think about it – if you’re passionate about human rights and want to contribute accurate information about what’s happening in Palestine, you’re now at risk of being labeled an antisemite or a “rogue editor” by powerful organizations like the ADL[5]. Who’s gonna want to put themselves out there knowing they could be targeted like that?

And it’s not just about reputation. Some Wikipedia editors have faced serious harassment and threats for their work. We’re talking death threats, rape threats, all kinds of fucked up shit[4]. By siding with the ADL and banning these editors, Wikipedia is basically hanging them out to dry and sending a message that it’s not safe to challenge the dominant narrative on Israel-Palestine.

The Bigger Picture

What we’re seeing here is a perfect example of how powerful institutions can control the flow of information and shape public opinion. The ADL, with its connections and influence, can pressure platforms like Wikipedia to silence voices that don’t align with their agenda.

This is especially fucked up when we’re talking about a situation where there’s an ongoing genocide.

Yes, I said it – genocide.

Because that’s what’s happening in Gaza right now.

Everybody knows this. Doctors Without Borders has said it’s a genocide. The United Nations has said that it’s a genocide. The ICC has said that it’s a genocide. Amnesty International has said that it’s a genocide. The ACLU has said that it’s a genocide.

We’re seeing the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, culture, and infrastructure. And now, the Apartheid Defense League is working overtime to make sure that information doesn’t reach the masses.

The Wikipedia Problem

But let’s not let Wikipedia off the hook here. They’re supposed to be this bastion of free information, right? Their whole thing is being an encyclopedia that anyone can edit. But time and time again, we’ve seen them cave to pressure from powerful groups.

The fact that they’re banning editors based on accusations from an organization that they themselves have deemed unreliable is some next-level hypocrisy. It shows that Wikipedia’s commitment to neutrality and accuracy is paper-thin when it comes to controversial topics like Israel-Palestine.

The Consequences for Truth

So what does all this mean for our ability to access truthful information about what’s happening in Palestine? It means we’re fucked! It means that the average person who goes to Wikipedia to learn about the conflict is going to get a sanitized version of events that downplays Israeli aggression and Palestinian suffering.

This is how propaganda works in the 21st century.

It’s not always about outright lies – it’s about controlling access to information, silencing certain voices, and framing the narrative in a way that benefits those in power. And make no mistake, Israel and its supporters like the Anti-Defamation League are very much in a position of power when it comes to shaping the global narrative about this conflict.

The Broader Implications

But it’s not just about Israel and Palestine.

This sets a dangerous precedent for how information is controlled on one of the world’s most important websites. If the Apartheid Defense League can get editors banned for providing factual information about Israeli actions, what’s to stop other powerful groups from doing the same on other topics?

People often suggest that I edit Wikipedia articles on various corporations to include information on their various acts of corporate misconduct, just like I do here on my website. But the truth is, I used to edit Wikipedia articles. But it would break my heart seeing some corpo dick rider deleting all of my edits as soon as I put them on just because it put their favorite corporate conglomerate in a negative light.

At least when I own my own website, I get to control what information goes on my website. Instead of being at the whims of random ass Wikipedia editors working on behest of Israel’s hasbara…

So what’s the end stages of a pattern like this?

We could see corporations getting critics banned from editing pages about environmental destruction. We could see governments silencing editors who write about human rights abuses.

The possibilities for abuse are endless, and it all starts with accepting that it’s okay to ban editors for challenging the dominant narrative.

What Can We Do?

So what can we do about this?

First off, we need to make some noise. We need to call out Wikipedia for caving to pressure from the ADL. We need to support the banned editors and demand that their contributions be reinstated.

But more importantly, we need to recognize that we can’t rely on platforms like Wikipedia to give us the full truth about complex issues like Israel-Palestine. We need to seek out alternative sources of information, especially those coming directly from Palestinians and human rights organizations on the ground.

And let’s not forget – this is bigger than just online encyclopedias. This is about the ongoing struggle for Palestinian liberation and the right of people to live free from occupation and oppression.

We need to keep speaking out, keep protesting, and keep pushing for justice, even when powerful organizations try to silence us.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, what the Anti-Defamation League and Wikipedia have done is a straight-up attack on our right to information. They’re trying to control the narrative about one of the most important human rights issues of our time, and we can’t let them get away with it.

Remember, knowledge is power. And when they try to take away our access to knowledge, they’re trying to take away our power to fight against injustice.

So stay informed, stay angry, and keep fighting for the truth.


sources:
[1] https://jewishjournal.com/news/worldwide/378546/wikipedias-supreme-court-on-the-verge-of-topic-banning-8-editors-from-israel-palestine-area/
[2] https://www.jta.org/2024/06/18/united-states/adl-faces-wikipedia-ban-over-reliability-concerns-on-israel-antisemitism
[3] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2538716/media
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[15] https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-829514
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