Introduction

I have written extensively about semantic terrorism and its effects on individuals. However, semantic terrorism not only targets individuals. It also erodes the entire fabric of society. This undermines trust among different sectors and promotes extremism, divisiveness, and polarization. In this post, I will draw from my own lived experience. I will show how polarization in my country, Israel, has personally affected me.

The Divisions within Israeli Society

Israeli culture is almost divided into sectors. It is more accurate to refer to it as such rather than simply “Israeli society.” We have always been divided into “tribes”: the ultra-Orthodox (Haredim), religious Zionists, conservatives, secular liberals, and the Arab sector. Ashkenazim and Mizrahim have historically faced tensions. The Ashkenazim are Jews of European or Anglo-Saxon descent. The Mizrahim are Jews from North Africa and Asia. These sectarian tensions escalated into actual confrontations and riots in 1971, marked by the Black Panthers movement fighting against discrimination. For more information on this movement, you can refer to the Black Panthers (Israel) Wikipedia page.

In 1993, tensions between the right and the left over the Oslo Accords escalated. They led to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. He was a left-leaning prime minister. I was 13 at the time. I came from a religious Zionist family. However, this assassination made me question everything I had been taught. It didn’t take long for me to defect and become a leftist. I started my journey with the Meretz party. It is a secular liberal party. It was labeled as “far left” even during my time.

The Rise of Semantic Terrorism

However, things have changed drastically since my teenage years. Social media has played a significant role in turning ideological disputes into actual violence. In 2014, during protests against the Cast Lead operation in Gaza, we first encountered counter-protesters. These groups were organized and led by a shadowy figure known as “Hatzel” (meaning “the shadow”). He was a failed Israeli rapper. This group was so hostile that they chased us around town, physically assaulting peaceful protesters.

Not long after, “The Shadow” set up a Facebook group called “האריות של הצל” (in English: “The Lions of Shadow”). It began sharing more calls for action against left-wing activists. Over the years, the situation deteriorated, reaching a boiling point in 2023 during the protests against judicial reforms. Supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu relied on what we call “the poison machine” (מכונת הרעל). This can be seen as a shadowy influence operation. It spreads disinformation and hatred. The rhetoric against us became more hateful than ever. It labeled us as traitors, a fifth column, anti-Semites, and the enemy from within.

Harassment and Intimidation Tactics

I have witnessed bot accounts spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories. Violence was not confined to the online realm. Civil investigators tapped into WhatsApp groups of right-wing activists, mostly supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu. These groups became echo chambers coordinating actual attacks on left-wing figures. As it stands, left-wing activists, especially ceasefire advocates, have effectively been silenced. People are afraid to speak out for obvious reasons. The Israeli media misleads the public. It hides the devastating consequences of the war in Gaza from the Palestinian perspective.

All these events have led to serious damage to Israeli democracy. Left-wing activists must contend not only with arrests and persecution from local authorities. They are also targeted by “Bibist militias”. These are ordinary people who consume content depicting left-wing activists as threats to Israel’s security. Such content portrays them as literal collaborators and supporters of Hamas. Physical assaults and personal harassment occur more often than they should.

Cyber-Lynching and Cyber Brigading

However, the easiest way to intimidate people from speaking out is through tactics known as “cyber-lynching” and “cyber brigading.” Cyber-lynching refers to using online platforms to publicly shame, harass, or intimidate individuals. This often leads to significant psychological distress or reputational harm. Cyber brigading involves organizing groups of individuals. They swarm and attack a target online. Often, this occurs through coordinated messages or campaigns. These campaigns are designed to silence dissent or discredit the individual.

A notable example is the case of Dr. Ori Goldberg, a PhD and expert in Iranian studies who has written several internationally acclaimed books. Having served for years in the Israeli army intelligence unit, Dr. Goldberg has been a staunch critic of the war. While some of his content may be considered inflammatory, the backlash against his criticisms of Israeli military actions has been severe. He has faced renouncement by his colleagues. He has been banned from appearing in mainstream Israeli media. Some have even accused him of serving as an agent for Iran or Hezbollah. More information about his work and perspectives can be found in his [resume](https://www.regthink.org/writers/%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%92%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8% D7%92/) and an interview discussing the Israel-Hamas war. I only witnessed firsthand what happened with him on Facebook regarding his colleagues.

Examples of Activism and Resistance

I do not personally hold his views, but I recognize that I lack his level of expertise. I believe in free speech and consider it his right—if not his duty—to be heard.

Another example is Alon Lee Green, the head of the “Standing Together” movement, a socialist group promoting social justice and coexistence. His rhetoric has been far less provocative than Dr. Goldberg’s. Despite this, he has garnered significant attention as an organizer of protests against the war. He has also engaged in campaigns to deliver humanitarian aid from Israel to Gaza. Lee Green has reported receiving explicit threats of murder that included his home address. In a Twitter thread, he described receiving threats. Often, the responses focused on his group’s security instead of addressing the threats themselves. He noted the police’s consistent refusal to protect them during protests and highlighted a troubling environment where incitement against them went unpunished. More information about his movement can be found on the Standing Together website.

Additionally, there’s the case of Maggie Otzari, a PhD in law who faced online sexual harassment. Her phone number was shared inappropriately, labeling her as a “spicy worker,” and her WhatsApp account was blocked for “spam.” In another account, it was reported that shortly after Maggie’s criticism, her phone number was circulated in WhatsApp groups. Right-wing activists, including members of the Likud party, called to harass her directly. According to the account “FakeReporter,” Minister of Culture Miki Zohar publicly attacked her for her tweet. His actions escalated the situation and contributed to a hostile environment. More about her experiences and insights can be found in her book, Hypomania.

References

• Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. (2024, September 16). In Wikipedia. Link.
• Black Panthers (Israel). (2024, September 16). In Wikipedia. Link.
• The Crazier, The Better: How Fake News Spreads from Tiny Telegram Groups to the Israeli Mainstream. Link.
• Black Panthers in Israel. INSS. Link.
• The Poison Machine. INSS. Link.
• The “shadow” The Shadow (rapper). (2024, August 7). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_(rapper)

I plan to elaborate on these examples further as I collect more evidence. It is almost impossible to speak out without facing such consequences. Social media was supposed to promote respectful discourse. It aimed to encourage to-the-point debates. However, this is certainly not the case in Israel. (I’m sure similar issues happen in other countries as well, but I can only describe what I have personally witnessed.)