After two previous instances with rulings in favor of freedom of expression and against the criminalization of those who denounce Zionism, Chamber III of the Buenos Aires Court of Cassation, in Argentina, sentenced the leader of the Socialist Workers Movement (MST), Alejandro Bodart, to six months in prison.
Before the judicial fair, the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA) won a victory and celebrated a new episode of judicial intimidation and censorship.
The ruling was divided. Judges Ignacio Mahiques and Jorge Atilio Franza decided to convict Bodart. On the other hand, Judge Patricia Ana Larroca upheld the acquittal and .
According to reports, the judges followed the classic script of the State of “Israel”, equating anti-Zionist positions to the “new anti-Semitism” and using the definition developed by one of the most important organizations of the Zionist lobby, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
In Argentina, the one in charge of carrying out the unworthy task was the DAIA, which pressures and establishes links with different instances of the Judiciary to carry out “trainings” on the subject.
The DAIA is in charge of the training of “impartial” judges and officials, who will have to decide on the litigations of this same organization in these matters.
According to the online newspaper Prensa Obrera, in a period of intensification of “Israel’s” genocide against the Palestinian people, there are no international organizations left where the war crimes of the occupying regime have not been denounced, including the International Criminal Court.
There is a very strong interest in silencing the voices against the Israeli genocide in Palestine, he added.
Here this part got cut off at the end. It has what he actually said. (Auto translated, so, 🤷♂️)
In May 2022, the leader wrote: “Zionists = Nazis” and “74 years of the catastrophe that the Palestinian people are experiencing, at the hands of the racist and genocidal state of Israel. The key, symbol of their houses and stolen lands, is present in every fight. For a secular and democratic Palestine, from the river to the sea.”
The second part is quite literally historical fact (the word “genocide” might not be legally correct yet (as in a court hasn’t ruled). But colloquially we all know, even the deniers know, it’s true). The first part is technically subjective, but anyone educated (actually educated) on the Nazis, their rhetoric, etc. understands it to be true. Maybe some people, for personal reasons, find saying it objectionable. That should have zero bearing on if something is permissible to say or not especially with penalty of jail time. “Free speech, libertarian” bad haircut/sideburns guy strikes again.
I do find it “odd” that if he had called the United States’ genocide of indigenous people an inspiration for what the Nazis were trying to do, no one would care. Maybe a few incredibly annoying right wingers would whine. But when you continue the comparisons onward to Israel it’s suddenly, “Woah woah woah! But Bible book says! How dare you!” Protecting the apartheid state is the only important thing here. It has absolutely nothing to do with history or truth. Just make people shut up so the apartheid state remains, ethnic cleansing continues, and Israel expands further. They need “living space” after all.
Also, Zionists literally collaborated with Nazis to deport Jews from Germany into Palestine i.e. the Haavara Agreement. Like???
