Are restrictions on pro-Palestine speech 'the new McCarthyism?' | The Bottom Line

The United States, and the West in general, are in a “dire period” of repression of speech on Palestinian freedom or criticism of Israel, argues Dima Khalidi, founder of Palestine Legal.

Khalidi tells host Steve Clemons that despite strong constitutional protections for free expression, “there seems to be this exception when it comes to Palestine”, as witnessed by the wave of censorship, intimidation, firings and restrictions on activism in the wake of Israel’s war on Gaza.

The situation is similar across Europe, says British journalist Richard Medhurst, who's been covering Gaza closely and was arrested for "speech crimes" upon arrival in London recently.

#freespeech #aljazeeraenglish #palestine #israel #gaza #lebanon #aljazeera #activism #journalism

[mikebunch]

I'm 65 year old American, this has been going on my whole life, so disturbing, keep speaking out!

[MendeMaria-ejbf]

Thank you, Al Jazeera, for not letting you intimidated. ❤

[Quietstorm]

Richard Medhurst and others have the right to speak out!

[dpar]

Richare Medhurst should be applauded for his bravery to speak out at a time like this in the UK. Yes, Fascism is on the rise in the US a result of suppressing our basic freedoms, especially since 2016.

[AliBenrose]

Richard looks really sad, time will pass and truth will prevail ❤ 🇵🇸

[evelyndominguez]

I stand with Richard’s reporting on the horrific genocide of the Palestinians. Excellent reporter.

[AliBenrose]

Peace and justice, Palestine 🇵🇸 will be free. Thank you for your honest reporting, I feel the world’s gone mad at the moment.

[MichaelSerbanos]

Very happy to see Richard Medhurst. Really sad what happened to him. He's one of my favorite journalist. Excellent guy with respect, honour, and humility.

[MendeMaria-ejbf]

I'm really afraid of these undemocratic and fascist developments.

[mariaportillo]

Cheer up Richard! 👍There is only so much you can do. 💔
We back you up. I thank you so much for informing us.
God bless you🙏

[MendeMaria-ejbf]

Incredible what's happening in our so-called democracies. Richard Medhurst is certainly no terrorist nor are other courageous journalists who are intimidated, threatened or even silenced.

[Patricia-swek]

Shame on the uk government, Richard is an honest journalist bringing us the truth, absolutely appalling

[AliBenrose]

Wonderful people, history will vindicate you, love your journalism, never stop reporting on truth and justice. 🍉 🇵🇸 ❤️

[abdulghani]

Danke Schön Al Jazeera for PEACE work Free Palestine

[londienene]

Thank you for all you do good souls ❤️❤️❤️🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🍉🍉🍉

[Sundancer]

This makes me ashamed to be British. I'm 💯 in support of Palestinians. Thank you, Richard, Sarah, and all those journalists speaking out.

[dominicphillip]

Medhurst is a brilliant and fearless Journalist. Everyone should follow him

[Acubens.]

Our Richard "The Lionheart" Medhurst ❤️💪

[RadicalCaveman]

Shoutout to Richard Medhurst! Keep going, brother!

[MdHasan-oeqw]

Calling on world leaders to pressure Israel internationally.