[jolj]

In most of the world outside of the United States, there are laws that relate to the concept of a "defensive democracy". For example the laws that outlaw display of swastikas in Germany are contradictory with freedom of speech but are aimed at denying a democracy being exploited by extreme groups (see ww2).

The discussion here is about the actions of Israel versus Al Jazeera, not a possibility of banning Al Jazeera in the United States or maybe Israeli viewpoints.

Also, I am pretty sure Israeli spendings to push Israeli narratives in the US are minuscule, especially compared to Qatar's.

[int_19h]

> I am pretty sure Israeli spendings to push Israeli narratives in the US are minuscule

Quite the contrary, just look at ADL or AIPAC.

[jolj]

only these are not financed by the israeli government

[selimthegrim]

AIPAC’s predecessor was a direct lobbying arm that was in fact deemed to be directly financed/registered foreign agent

[int_19h]

Sure, they just happen to align 100% with Israeli interests by pure coincidence.

[jolj]

Are American citizens allowed to have opinions that are similar to the opinions of the state of Israel?

It seems you think Israel has direct finance or control interest in AIPAC, do you have something to support that?

[int_19h]

American citizens are, of course, allowed to have such opinions, but we're not talking about a few citizens here - we're talking about what's considered one of the most influential political lobbyist organizations in US.

AIPAC is nominally funded by "individual donations", but the problem with that it is fairly trivial for a nation-state to fund things in this manner, so it doesn't really tell us anything. And then, of course, there's the question of personal connections: if you have a private person donating huge amounts of money to AIPAC, and they just happen to be heavily involved with the governing political party in Israel, I would consider them an agent of the state of Israel ipso facto even if they don't have such official position (just as I would consider, say, one of Putin's pet oligarchs a Russian agent if they donate money to an American political campaign in their private capacity).

[arp242]

It is not my impression that Al Jazeera can reasonably be compared to Nazi Germany, but okay...

[jolj]

I was not comparing them, and I think this is dishonest to read my comment that way. I was giving an example of the way democracies around the world restrict free speech in order to defend other rights

This is quite popular in europe and is a result of lesson learned from the nazis

[arp242]

This entire thread started with me saying pretty much the same thing, and using Nazi Germany as an example absolutely implies some form of comparison, especially in a discussion about what specifically Al Jazeera may or may not have done wrong. You can't demand careful language usage from others (in e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40090402 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40088873) and at the same time carelessly throw around stuff yourself.

Well, you can. You're allowed. But at that point I decide to stop engaging. So good day to you.