Facebook shuts down PFLP solidarity group, bans my friends and comrades

[Saorsa]

The best way you can help fight this, and help fight Israel at the same time, is to go to the website and order one of the t-shirts. All the proceeds go directly to the PFLP to fund their struggle against the Zionist occupation.

We have two designs - this is the latest and in my opinion the coolest. Leila Khaled sent us her signature to use on the front.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCajVzj-v-I/AAAAAAAAAEw/sNbQpomAq3g/s1600/Leila+Khaled+T-Shirt.bmp

Below is the other design:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCJyJ31CypI/AAAAAAAAADg/2OfNJP4Axho/s1600/gfhdfgdg.jpg

Facebook Shuts Down Palestinian Solidarity Group

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCW--Nf6R-I/AAAAAAAAAEg/kiNUiKCSSDg/s320/facebook-logo.jpg

Press Release: Workers Party of New Zealand

Facebook Shuts Down Palestinian Solidarity Group

The US-based social networking site Facebook has shut down a New Zealand based PFLP Solidarity group, as well as permanently closing the accounts of all four group administrators with no right of appeal. The group, which had approximately 500 members, was established after the recent Flotilla attacks to show solidarity with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and raise awareness of the solidarity campaign led by the Workers Party of New Zealand, who are fundraising for the PFLP.

None of the administrators of the PFLP Solidarity group were given any notice from Facebook that they had violated terms or conditions, and were given no direct reason as to why they had had their accounts disabled. “They did not even send an email to me explaining why my account was disabled”, said one of the group’s administrators.

Marika Pratley, PFLP Solidarity Campaign coordinator and group administrator in Wellington said, “This was clearly a political attack against the PFLP and an attempt by Facebook to censor and shut down the solidarity campaign”.

The PFLP advocates a single secular state in all of Palestine, with equal rights for all, regardless of race or religion, and is the second largest group in the PLO. Facebook have deemed that support for the PFLP violates its terms and conditions while allowing many blatantly racist anti-Palestinian groups to continue to exist without such censorship.

The Workers Party believes that all political ideas and discussion should be free of censorship on the internet, but wishes to expose this hypocrisy, which often surrounds debate of the Palestine issue. Palestinian groups are frequently censored and branded as terrorists while supporters of the racist state of Israel are not.

The PFLP Solidarity Campaign is determined to continue on, despite Facebook's censorship. “We have already raised over $1000 through selling T Shirts. Deleting a Facebook group is not going to stop us showing solidarity with Palestine or the PFLP”, said Christchurch administrator Mike Walker.

http://wpnz-pflp-solidarity.blogspot.com/2010/06/facebook-shuts-down-palestinian.html

[GPDP]

This is not at all surprising, considering the politics of the people behind the creation of Facebook:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jan/14/facebook

[bloodbeard]

The best way you can help fight this, and help fight Israel at the same time, is to go to the website and order one of the t-shirts. All the proceeds go directly to the PFLP to fund their struggle against the Zionist occupation.

We have two designs - this is the latest and in my opinion the coolest. Leila Khaled sent us her signature to use on the front.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCajVzj-v-I/AAAAAAAAAEw/sNbQpomAq3g/s1600/Leila+Khaled+T-Shirt.bmp

Below is the other design:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCJyJ31CypI/AAAAAAAAADg/2OfNJP4Axho/s1600/gfhdfgdg.jpg

Facebook Shuts Down Palestinian Solidarity Group

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k3gbTyoNBwA/TCW--Nf6R-I/AAAAAAAAAEg/kiNUiKCSSDg/s320/facebook-logo.jpg

Press Release: Workers Party of New Zealand

Facebook Shuts Down Palestinian Solidarity Group

The US-based social networking site Facebook has shut down a New Zealand based PFLP Solidarity group, as well as permanently closing the accounts of all four group administrators with no right of appeal. The group, which had approximately 500 members, was established after the recent Flotilla attacks to show solidarity with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and raise awareness of the solidarity campaign led by the Workers Party of New Zealand, who are fundraising for the PFLP.

None of the administrators of the PFLP Solidarity group were given any notice from Facebook that they had violated terms or conditions, and were given no direct reason as to why they had had their accounts disabled. “They did not even send an email to me explaining why my account was disabled”, said one of the group’s administrators.

Marika Pratley, PFLP Solidarity Campaign coordinator and group administrator in Wellington said, “This was clearly a political attack against the PFLP and an attempt by Facebook to censor and shut down the solidarity campaign”.

The PFLP advocates a single secular state in all of Palestine, with equal rights for all, regardless of race or religion, and is the second largest group in the PLO. Facebook have deemed that support for the PFLP violates its terms and conditions while allowing many blatantly racist anti-Palestinian groups to continue to exist without such censorship.

The Workers Party believes that all political ideas and discussion should be free of censorship on the internet, but wishes to expose this hypocrisy, which often surrounds debate of the Palestine issue. Palestinian groups are frequently censored and branded as terrorists while supporters of the racist state of Israel are not.

The PFLP Solidarity Campaign is determined to continue on, despite Facebook's censorship. “We have already raised over $1000 through selling T Shirts. Deleting a Facebook group is not going to stop us showing solidarity with Palestine or the PFLP”, said Christchurch administrator Mike Walker.

http://wpnz-pflp-solidarity.blogspot.com/2010/06/facebook-shuts-down-palestinian.html
Great design. I'll show my support for the PFLP and get one. :thumbup1:


*paragraph removed* :(

[Saorsa]

I'm not allowed to join new groups because apparently I belong to too many. I wonder if I'm being politically targeted <__<

[bloodbeard]

...

[Niccolò Rossi]

I wonder if I'm being politically targeted <__<

As a general rule, I find not making my political persuations public by attaching them to my real name and photos via facebook (but equally via the press of leftist groups, not just WPNZ is guilty on this account) is a good idea. Why do the state's job for them?

Nic.

[Leonid Brozhnev]

Yet they let racist nationalists run rampant everywhere... i'm pretty much through with Fackbook.

edit-

Shit... FASHbook... jeez I'm slow

[Chambered Word]

As a general rule, I find not making my political persuations public by attaching them to my real name and photos via facebook (but equally via the press of leftist groups, not just WPNZ is guilty on this account) is a good idea. Why do the state's job for them?

Nic.

I think if the authorities wanted to they could get those details from your RevLeft posts one way or another.

[Marxist]

And i wondered why was I banned on facebook when i didn´t clash with the terms of agreement.

[Jimmie Higgins]

This is not at all surprising, considering the politics of the people behind the creation of Facebook:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jan/14/facebook

Ha ha. The best part is I just sent this article to a bunch of people through Facebook!

[GreenCommunism]

is it illegal to voice support for the pflp? is it a terrorist group. i wouldn't want to show up anywhere with such a shirt and have a file on me.

[Subcomandante Marcos.]

COWARD lol

[GreenCommunism]

i would rather publicly voice my whole name and that i am an extreme-leftist than wear a t-shirt supporting a terrorist group. because the government can find out my name pretty fucking easily no matter what. but if i support a terrorist group this is different.

[Raúl Duke]

It sucks that they ban some good WPNZ comrades I was FB friends with. Fucking Mike Zuckerberg.

[khad]

It sucks that they ban some good WPNZ comrades I was FB friends with. Fucking Mike Zuckerberg.
I think the pink elephant in the room is this. Look at the names of the CEO, CFO, and COO.

http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?execbios

Not saying it's a Jewish conspiracy, but it's apparent that Facebook has an upper management that from the beginning has had personal interest in the project of the Israeli state.

[Red Saxon]

The facebook mods must be total dumbshits.

I for one approve of the idea of a single state of Jews and Palestinians!

[black magick hustla]

i would never wear one of those shirts in public it entails awkward cop questions

[praxis1966]

No matter what the motivation for FailBook's banning of the PFLP group, I think it's important not to take our eyes off of the prize here.

What I mean is that the way intellectual property laws work, at least in the US where FB is based, concerning websites is that they are private property. In other words, it gets treated more or less the same way businesses in possession of a store front are. They have the right to refuse service/membership to anyone for any reason other than those explicitly outlined in the Civil Rights Act(s) of 1964 and 1968 (race, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, etc). Those acts don't say anything specifically about politics, so they [FailBook] can give you the proverbial boot regardless of what their TOS agreement says.

Anyway, what I'm driving at is that the real problem here is private property and the way it is protected here in the US. Yeah, it's fucked up that FB did this, but the real issue is why they're allowed to get away with it.

[4 Leaf Clover]

my country not supported by capitalist fart-out called paypal

[Niccolò Rossi]

I think if the authorities wanted to they could get those details from your RevLeft posts one way or another.

No doubt. But as I said, why make it easier? Not just for the state, what about potential employers? If I'm applying for a job and the boss googles my name, I prefer that my facebook page isn't decorated with my membership to countless communist political pages, or better still, linking them to leftist websites where my real name is attached to articles writing in solidarity with striking workers. Don't do the cops job for them.

Nic.

[Niccolò Rossi]

The facebook mods must be total dumbshits.

I for one approve of the idea of a single state of Jews and Palestinians!

Yes, because not supporting a 'one state solution' makes you a "dumbshit". What a penetrating analysis!

Nic.

[Red Saxon]

Yes, because not supporting a 'one state solution' makes you a "dumbshit". What a penetrating analysis!

Nic.I was referring to the Facebook administration as being dumbshits, which they are for deleting the group and banning the admins. Drop the victim mentality.

A two-state solution won't work anyways. We tried that before, remember? The Arab attack on Israel increased it's borders in a way that wouldn't have happened had there not been an attack.

[Niccolò Rossi]

I was referring to the Facebook administration as being dumbshits, which they are for deleting the group and banning the admins.

Yeah, and I remarked sarcastically that it was a wonderfully penetrating analysis. Maybe I'm missing something?


Drop the victim mentality.


No idea what you are on about here.


A two-state solution won't work anyways. We tried that before, remember? The Arab attack on Israel increased it's borders in a way that wouldn't have happened had there not been an attack.

Their is no state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Why do I have to explain this to an anarchist anyway?

Nic.

[Blackscare]

i would rather publicly voice my whole name and that i am an extreme-leftist than wear a t-shirt supporting a terrorist group. because the government can find out my name pretty fucking easily no matter what. but if i support a terrorist group this is different.


Then you're doing exactly what the government banks on. Does the government really believe that every group it lists are actually terrorists? I doubt it. I do believe that they consider certain groups "terrorist" cells or what have you because they wish to scare people away from supporting them. Seems it works. They can essentially list any group they want a terrorist group, and instantly silence many people (but not all) who would otherwise support them.

What would you do come time for a real revolution, if you can't stomach wearing a naughty t-shirt?

[Blackscare]

Their is no state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.




Enjoy your anarchist/Left-Com ghetto full of unrealistic expectations and hopeless idealism.

This from a person who still strongly identifies with Anarchist theory. Obviously though, what you're saying isn't going to happen in Palestine right now. The emphasis should be on realistically trying to end the bloodshed and outright oppression before working on projects such as building an anarchist society can even begin to be a credible course of action. I'm sure the people of Palestine appreciate your staunch (emotional and immaterial) support, and rejection of reformist attempts to stop the killing and bloodshed in the most equitable and practical way, as soon as possible. They see the importance of dedicating themselves to your anarchist ideals.


Ever notice how most anarchists are not only from the "first world", but also tend to think that those in the Third world have to adhere to their fanciful ideas in the face of real danger (something that most anarchists do not have to do, standing up for their beliefs amounts to handing out vegan food or dumpster diving much of the time, aside from a minority of more serious ones which I deeply respect)? There's a reason anarchism is so tiny in the Third world.



If I didn't hate anarchists so much, I'd still be one :(

I am a Left Communist, and partially incorporate Anarchist beliefs, but seeing the unrealistic attitudes of my fellow Left-Coms, I sometimes feel like giving up and going M-L.

[Niccolò Rossi]

Obviously though, what you're saying isn't going to happen in Palestine right now. The emphasis should be on realistically trying to end the bloodshed and outright oppression before working on projects such as building an anarchist society can even begin to be a credible course of action.

This is a perfect example of the 'politics of the possible', the sine qua non of all opportunism.


I'm sure the people of Palestine appreciate your staunch (emotional and immaterial) support, and rejection of reformist attempts to stop the killing and bloodshed in the most equitable and practical way, as soon as possible. They see the importance of dedicating themselves to your anarchist ideals.

I'm affraid you've got the wrong person here. I don't support the 'people of Palestine'. I support the working class in Palestine, just as I support struggling workers around the world.

Or maybe you are being sarastic here? In which case, what's your point? I don't see an argument here, just the same old empty rhetoric.


Ever notice how most anarchists are not only from the "first world", but also tend to think that those in the Third world have to adhere to their fanciful ideas in the face of real danger (something that most anarchists do not have to do, standing up for their beliefs amounts to handing out vegan food or dumpster diving much of the time, aside from a minority of more serious ones which I deeply respect)? There's a reason anarchism is so tiny in the Third world.

Not sure why this is directed at me.


If I didn't hate anarchists so much, I'd still be one

You list your 'tendency' as Platformist. Are you a member or sympathiser of a platformist political group?


I am a Left Communist

I don't see how this fits with anything you've said so far.


I sometimes feel like giving up and going M-L.

Swimming against the stream is difficult indeed. As much as we might not like this to be the case, this is the task of the working class.

Nic.