The Escalation of Hate Speech Following the October 2023 War

Author: Mohamed Hineidi (Executive Director — EMAN)

The October 2023 War — a turbulent period in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — has significantly escalated hate speech across the globe, encompassing stark instances of both antisemitic and anti-Palestinian rhetoric. This disturbing trend poses severe implications for Jewish, Arab, and Muslim communities and catalyzes the rise of far-right movements against migrants. An analysis of these occurrences and their global ramifications is critical for understanding and combating this surge in hate speech.

Incidents — Attacks and Hate Speech

Since the war began on October 7, there have been recorded instances of hate speech and incitement by political figures on both sides of the conflict, including sitting members of the Israeli cabinet, members of the Knesset, and the political leadership of Hamas. Some of those comments are outlined below:

• Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant: In a speech given before IDF personnel, he referred to Palestinians in Gaza as "human animals", further adding that “we will eliminate everything in Gaza” on October 9, 2023.

• Israel’s Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu: On November 6, 2023, Eliyahu suggested dropping an atomic bomb on Gaza, claiming “there's no such thing as innocents in Gaza”.

• Khalid Meshaal — former Hamas chief: On October 13, 2023, Meshaal urged Muslims across the Middle East to join the jihad against Israel, and asked Islamic scholars to apply their theory into practice.

Social media and public spaces have also witnessed an increase in hate speech. A significant rise in antisemitism and to a lesser extent anti-Arab and Islamophobic rhetoric was reported on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo, leading the Israeli embassy in Beijing to filter comments. In France, a total of 860 antisemitic attacks were recorded in only a one-month period after the war began — double the recorded number for all of 2022 according to the French Ministry of the Interior. A notable increase in threats and violence against Jewish communities was reported in the United States, including a plot in Houston and an attack in Massachusetts on November 3, 2023. Earlier, a Palestinian-American six-year-old child was stabbed in front of his mother in a hate crime in Illinois by their landlord.

Ramifications on Global Communities

Impact on Jewish and Arab/Muslim Communities: The Jewish communities globally have faced direct threats and violence, exacerbating their sense of insecurity. Similarly, anti-Palestinian rhetoric by Israeli officials intensifies the alienation of Palestinians and Arab communities, potentially fueling further conflict and violence.

Rise of Far-Right Tropes Against Migrants: Far-right groups and political parties with pre-existing Islamophobic sentiments have exploited the conflict to further propagate anti-migrant sentiments, particularly against Muslim migrants, or to paint the conflict in religious terms. This exploitation has led to increased xenophobia, racial discrimination, and a threat to social cohesion. This is particularly true for India, where some Hindu nationalists falsely assume they share a similar cause to Israel due to the Islamist element of the conflict, which is related to Hamas. In India, of course, far-right Hindus target ordinary Muslims and other minorities based on their worldview of Hindu supremacy, with little knowledge of the drivers of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Effect on Social Media and Political Discourse: The unchecked spread of hate speech and mis/disinformation on social media platforms from all sides, including the rhetoric by political figures, have legitimized and potentially inspired actions based on these prejudices. The reverberations of this conflict on jihadists, Islamists, far-right organisations and political parties, Jewish extremists, and Christian fundamentalists will be felt for years to come. In terms of extremism, this conflict and the emotions that come with it will generate new life for extremists of all ideologies across the world. The incendiary nature of the comments within Israeli policymaking circles will almost certainly lead to new levels of extremism within Israel — a country veering further to the right, while Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood will continue to use the death and destruction of this conflict for their own political objectives and divisive, intolerant rhetoric.

Policy Recommendations:

Stricter Regulation of Hate Speech on Social Media: Social media companies should implement and enforce stringent policies against hate speech. This involves utilizing advanced AI and human moderation to identify and remove hateful content promptly.

Education and Awareness Programs: Governments and NGOs should collaborate to introduce educational programs that promote understanding and tolerance among diverse communities. These programs should focus on the history and consequences of hate speech and the importance of intercultural dialogue.

Legal Actions Against Hate Speech Perpetrators: Legal frameworks must be strengthened to prosecute individuals or groups perpetuating hate speech. This ensures accountability and deters future incidents.

Promotion of Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue: Facilitating dialogue between different religious and cultural groups can foster mutual respect and understanding. These dialogues should be supported at community, national, and international levels.

Support for Affected Communities: Providing support and resources to communities targeted by hate speech is crucial. This includes counseling services, security measures, and platforms for these communities to voice their concerns and experiences.

Conclusion

In combating this rise in hate speech, it is imperative to balance freedom of expression with the need to protect communities from harm. The solutions proposed aim to create a more inclusive, understanding, and safe global environment, countering the divisive impacts of hate speech.

As we reflect on these incidents and their ramifications, it becomes evident that only through a collective commitment to promoting tolerance, empathy, and respect can we hope to mitigate the adverse effects of hate speech as a result of this conflict. This commitment must be shared by individuals, communities, governments, and international bodies, working together to build a more peaceful and harmonious world. Only through this can there be a possibility for peace, coexistence, and reconciliation to be established in Israel-Palestine.