A few months ago, Haaretz ran a news story about Russian olim`s complaints of police brutality. Haaretz has repeatedly run stories about border police brutality against Palestinians and illegal workers. For some reason, Haaretz rarely runs stories about police brutality against right-wingers, even though this has been reported numerous times in right wing publications. (Today`s story is the exception that proves the rule.)
The problem here is that media outlets don`t mind when the "end justifies the means" in taking action against their ideological opponents. Unfortunately, police brutality is pervasive throughout Israel, but people notice it only when their own cow is gored.
When people are afraid of extreme measures by police or the Shin Bet, they become afraid to openly express their viewpoints. As a recent oleh to Israel, I find it very unfortunate that many American olim believe that they had much more freedom of expression in America than they do in Israel. |
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