Israeli Bill Would Outlaw Comparisons to Nazis‏

One understands the sensitivities involved but this is definitely going too far:

Should it be a crime to liken individuals to Nazis? In Israel, there’s a new bill being proposed that would criminalize this offensive comparison. In fact, according to the AP, the penalty for comparing an individual or multiple persons to the radical ideology would be up to six months in jail, a $25,000 fine for actually using the word “Nazi” or for utilizing Holocaust-related symbols for anything other than teaching, research or documentation.

“I am pleased that the government is supporting this important law,” Ariel said in response to the bill’s success thus far. “Unfortunately we have been witness in recent years to the cynical exploitation of Nazi symbols and phraseology, which is offensive to Holocaust survivors, their families, and many others among the Jewish people.”

While Ariel is content, civil rights groups are extremely concerned over the bill, as they maintain that it will severely impede individuals’ rights should it be passed. According to the Jerusalem Post, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel came out strongly opposed to the proposal.

“Freedom of expression is the right to say harsh, piercing and even offensive words,” the organization said in a statement. “It is the right to express crass and extreme attitudes, feelings and thoughts, and also includes the right to make use of harsh rhetoric and provocative imagery.”

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