There is war in the Middle East. There is almost war in the comment fields. And the participants in “The Debate” on news on Tuesday evening have experienced heavy shelling afterwards. They tell of both death threats and references to the Second World War and Adolf Hitler. Also messages of support There were steep differences between the various tables during the “Debate” this week. The opposing parties threw allegations at each other. When the studio lights went out, the mobile phones of the participants began to vibrate. – I got a lot of reactions and a lot of support, and there were many who said thank you for representing them, says head of the Palestine Committee, Line Khateeb. But several of the messages were unpleasant. “Going to find you, you deserve a knock” read one of them. – I was in a four-hour meeting with the police, who said they take the messages seriously, says Khateeb, who has reported the threats. Reproduction of lies Line Khateeb says that she has received harassment both in the comment fields and received messages to her own phone. – What we work on is more important than ever, but it is an aftertaste and burden. No one should be allowed to threaten us into silence, but we think more about security around our events than before, she says. Khateeb has removed his residential address from online information services. She and her opponents meet for debate both in the studio and in the columns. At the same time, information abounds in social media. Some are true, some are spin. – It is extremely important to crack down on people distorting what you say or on dissidents being accused of something they did not say. It is crucial that we do not reproduce lies, she says. Conrad Myrland is general manager of MIFF (With Israel for Peace) and has participated in the debate for 20 years. He met Khateeb in the studio on Tuesday and strongly distanced himself from threats. – We condemn all threats against pro-Palestinian leaders and have compassion for what she has experienced, says Myrland. Because he has felt it firsthand. – But this week it has been less than before, since Israel has been exposed to the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, he says. The Palestine Committee’s leader Line Khateeb has reported threats to the police. Photo: Alf Simensen / news Hitler messages Although there have been fewer hate messages than “usual”, Myrland has also experienced discomfort this week, including on TikTok. – Someone has written that they want Germany and Hitler back on the pitch. It is incredibly sad to see that so many people are so hateful, not only against Israel, but also Jews in general. On Sunday, MIFF will have a demonstration of support in front of the Storting. – I have received messages from people wondering if it is safe to come. – Will it be safe to be there? – Yes. The police have learned after it escalated a number of years ago. It will be safe on Sunday. MIFF leader Conrad Myrland says he experiences less harassment now than before. Photo: news Real freedom of speech? In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on the price you risk paying by being a voice in the public eye. Reports show that young people refuse to enter politics and agitation leads to a large dropout. Myrland says that one of the appellants resigned on Sunday, after her employer believed that she should not apply. It was not because of threats against the demonstration, but because of her position. – Then you can ask yourself whether you have real freedom of expression, says Myrland. The MIFF leader does not look over his shoulder on the street, but nevertheless has a conscious relationship with his own safety. – I probably think about it more than most people. It is not only about what individuals can come up with, but also other state powers, such as Iran. – It is important to have sober and fair media coverage, so that it does not lead to demonization of the parties. Then people may be afraid to speak their mind. For me, the price is not too high, as I am passionate about our cause, says Myrland. Khateeb also emphasizes the importance of keeping the tongue straight in the mouth. – Right now, millions of people are besieged and threatened with their lives in Gaza, where the death toll is rising. More than a thousand Israelis have been killed. We must be able to see the human suffering, regardless of political position, and demand that international law and international law should please everyone.
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Death threats after “The Debate” broadcast – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
