In another attempt to censor pro-Palestinian content, a group linked to Israel is removing pro-Palestinian artists from Spotify.
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Mohammed Asaf’s ‘My Blood is Palestinian’ has been removed from Spotify.
Israel-related pressure groups are trying to remove pro-Palestinian artists from Spotify. ‘We Believe in Israel’, an offshoot of the British ‘Israel’ Communications Research Center (BICOM), has lobbied both the UK government and popular music streaming platforms in an effort to censor various artists, including rapper Lowkey. ing.
mint press found that key figures in lobby groups may have sympathetic ears in key positions in both organizations.
Following a long-running campaign by “We Believe in Israel,” Spotify banned a number of Arabic-language songs containing anti-“Israel” lyrics earlier this year. The group praised the decision in a news release, but stressed that it was just the first step in a much larger campaign of censorship.
The group’s director, Luke Aychhurst, a Labor operative, said: “Spotify will host overtly anti-Semitic content that violates its own content policy, such as inciting direct violence against Israelis. “It’s good news that people are finally listening to the public’s distaste for it.”
“Now we need to see why they’re hosting overtly anti-Semitic and conspiratorial songs by Lowkey and Ambassador MCs,” he added, denigrating both artists at the same time and following up at the same time. sent the signal that it was them.
Last month, it was widely reported that Spotify’s decision to remove Palestinian pop sensation Mohammed Asaf’s ‘My Blood Is Palestinian’ from its site was due to ‘We Believe in Israel’. However, it was later revealed that the 2012 Arab Idol winner’s song was removed due to a contractual dispute between the record company and the streaming site.
“We Believe in Israel” has acknowledged working closely with the Israeli embassy, but claims it was not directed by the Israeli embassy, and has long lobbied to “cleanse” Spotify. rice field. Last year, it launched a petition that gathered 4,000 signatures and actively approached the UK Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport on the issue.
Israel’s effort to stop low-key
of mint press Munar Adry told Mr. Rokey about the outpouring of global solidarity after false accusations of anti-Semitism. The rationale for targeting low-key in the first place was also the reason why this plan failed.
Lowkey has amassed tens of millions of fans around the world as one of the most talented hip-hop musicians of his generation. His unwavering social criticism and support for Palestinian rights may have essentially kept him out of mainstream radio, but he is held in high esteem by critics, musicians, and fans alike.
His three songs “Hail Palestine” have become pro-Palestinian anthems, and his talent has led to collaborations with big names in the music industry. Jewish Chronicle In 2011, he said his very existence was a “potential nightmare” for “Israel.” As a result, he faced a global backlash when pro-Israel groups sought to revoke him.
How did “Israel” spy?
“We Believe in Israel’s” Spotify’s lobbying ramped up last June, at the same time the music company launched a safety advisory board. The Safety Advisory Board is the committee that selects what content is removed from the site for security and welfare reasons.
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a London-based think tank with deep ties to the pro-Israel lobby, especially “believe in Israel”, has managed to win two members to its council.
what did the institute do?
Founded in 2006, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue describes itself as an organization dedicated to understanding and combating all forms of “political and religious extremism”. However, an examination of their founders, key figures, output and sources of funding reveals that they may have ulterior motives.
Socialite and media mogul Baron Weidenfeld was the co-founder of the organization. Weidenfeld devoted his adult life as political adviser and chief cabinet secretary to Chaim Weizmann, the first president of “Israel”, and actively promoted the expansion of the Jewish state. This included launching a worldwide publicity campaign to convince the world that Western Al-Quds should be part of “Israel.”
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The Institute for Strategic Dialogue is funded by a number of NATO governments including Germany, UK, Denmark, Canada, Finland and the Netherlands.
It is also funded by the National Institute for Democracy and the International Republican Institute, both subsidiaries of the infamous National Endowment for Democracy. This organization is a CIA front established by the Reagan administration to carry out many of the agency’s most controversial (and illegal) things. operation.
who paved the way?
“We Believe in Israel” has lobbied the UK Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport and, given that one of the organization’s key figures (one of whom is Secretary of State Lucy Fraser), is to open the door. asking to open. Fraser, who worked for the Israeli Ministry of Justice before entering politics and joining the Conservative government, has hinted that he shares the goal of “we believe in Israel.”
In general, the Conservative Party is staunchly pro-Israel. The Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI), the party’s main pro-Israel group, previously claimed that 80% of Conservative MPs are members of the party. The organization collaborates with other pro-“Israel” organizations such as We Believe in “Israel”. Rachel Blaine, who left We Believe in “Israel” in 2022, is now director of public relations at CFI.
Attempts to Silence Palestine
“Israel” and its supporters have repeatedly called for dissent to be removed from airwaves and the Internet because of its declining public image. Former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked boasts that he worked closely with Facebook to censor Palestinian voices, with Silicon Valley companies agreeing to remove about 95% of information Facebook requested. bottom.
Former Ministry of Justice director Emi Palmore is currently serving on Facebook’s advisory board, which is ultimately responsible for content moderation for the world’s largest news and social media platform.
Nevertheless, Western support for “Israel” and its atrocities has dwindled as the country loses public opinion. Faced with this reality, its supporters are increasingly resorting to illegal tactics to silence their opponents.
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