Lemmy.world reportedly bans people for being anti-Zionist. At the same time, numerous human rights organizations have documented that Zionist policies and actions amount to crimes against humanity (e.g., forced displacement, collective punishment, apartheid).
If banning opposition to crimes against humanity is itself anti-humanity, doesn’t that make lemmy.world complicit? How do you reconcile defending a platform that silences critics while atrocities continue?
Lemmy.world reportedly bans people for being anti-Zionist.
They ban people for posting “Death to all Zionists” and other calls for violence.
I don’t think a solicitation for an opinion about mod decisions is the kind of question that a general “Ask” sub is for.
A lot of Lemmy.world users sign up because they believe it to be a “neutral” instance, and just want a drop-in FOSS reddit replacement. The truth is that Lemmy.world is highly partisan, particularly of the establishment DNC variety. Liberal zionism, anti-communism, and more are the mainstays of Lemmy.world admins and moderators, but many users don’t realize it until much later. Further, Lemmy.world defederates and censors communist and other leftist instances, creating a walled garden where their users cannot even see opposition.
Fuck those guys. I’m new here and super glad I didn’t blindly choose them.
Which is particularly ironic when they go HURR DURR .ml HURR DURR TANKIE AUTHORITARIAN HURR DURR OPPOSING OPINIONS NOT ALLOWED.
Other than the tankie part what do you do differently?
I wonder what happens on .ml when you voice some alternative opinions… 🤔
Liberal spaces live and die on free speech theatre. They always have to pretend they’re protecting free speech and allowing open debate. Being perceived as “authoritarian” is their kryptonite, because authoritarianism is the one thing they claim to oppose above all else.
Communist spaces will unapologetically hit you with the ban hammer for defending imperialism, fascism, capitalism, bigotry, etc. and I respect that.
on .ml the bans tend do also tend to be temp ones, unless someone’s seriously harassing. so like people will be complaining about the 1984 censorship regime here but then if you look at their modlog more often than not they got a slap on the wrist for insulting people or doing the laziest anticommunism ever put into text. often both.
Yep, agreed!
So, what you’re saying is… It is a drop-in FOSS reddit replacement.
Yes, haha, but in ways more similar than being FOSS would imply. .world isn’t neutral.
As I said when they posted this same thing in hexbear it is very funny and ironic that they are on a piefed instance which was designed to be exactly what .world has become with extra guardrails to ensure it is that.
Yep, that’s a whole other can of woms, haha.
Kinda the same can of worms if you really think about it. The nature of these platforms is that if they don’t have communists in moderation they will inevitably all turn into Nazi bars because liberals can’t even fight fascism in places they control because of their obsession with civility and “free marketplace of ideas” nonsense.
Yep, well-said! That’s why liberalism cannot fight fascism, and instead enables it.
Zionism isnt judaism and acting like it is is a huge red flag.
Instant credibility loss for me.
This is just a paradox of tolerance moment
Question. Does it matter which you login to all that much? Many of my subs are not world… but my login is. Has been for a long time. I never really think about it.
Federation matters quite a lot, for example you cannot see anything on Hexbear.net or Lemmygrad.ml, because .world blocks communist instances. If you want a generalist instance, lemmy.zip is often recommended and more widely federated. Alternatively, find an instance that aligns with your interests and scroll locally as you like.
But like how would anyone really know what an instance is like? There are soo many people shitting on every instance, and most of it is probably BS lies. The zip idea makes sense though. But can I transfer a user from one to another? Or do I lose all my subscriptions and such?
You can browse an instance without an account to check it out.
But can I transfer a user from one to another? Or do I lose all my subscriptions and such?
You can’t “transfer a user” to another instance but you can transfer your subscriptions (including blocked users, blocked communities, saved posts, saved comments) and account settings. Go into your settings page (probably lemmy.world/settings) and then, on the right hand side above the Delete Account button, you’ll see a section where you can Import/Export your settings as a .json file. Do that, then go to a new instance, create an account there, and then upload that .json file into the import box in the same area (the one that says Browse…) on your new account at your new instance and then hit import.
It’s super simple. I hope I explained it adequately.
it is an issue if any of the subs that are outside of your instance are defederated
When the admins themselves take offense to anti-Zionist slogans without them being directed towards them, you can take their word for it that they are indeed what they are taking offense for
Is that piece of shit admin still around?
I have high doubts that Lemmy.world bans people specifically for being anti Zionist.
Context and number of incidents of ban is required.
Obligatory ‘Israel is a piece of shit country.’
I was banned there for saying Ukraine is just a meat grinder for the rich
Literally banned me for calling Kaplan a Zionist.
And then they unbanned me, unprompted.
Your doubts are unfounded.
I’ve found some evidence and posted it here:
Lemmy.world Is Anti‑Humanity. How Its Admins Weaponized Defederation to Silence Palestine Solidaritythis has been deleted. lol
Maybe I’m missing something, but that post just has a ton of claims and no screenshots or links to what it’s talking about.
We need to ask the rationale for the decisions. I am very much opposed to any genocide, whether by direct action, a third party or inaction. If Zionist practices are leading to genocide then I need to call it out. If Israels current practice is to create genocide then I need to call it out. I can do all that and not be Anti-Semitic or anti Israel.
If any Lemmy instance removes the debate, they need to be left in the cold or closed down.The problem is, Israeli far-right groups and Zionist advocates have spent decades turning “antisemitic” into a shield. You call out forced displacement, apartheid, collective punishment—all well documented by Amnesty, B’Tselem, and Human Rights Watch—and they call you an antisemite. It’s an old trick, and it works.
So when a platform like lemmy.world bans “anti-Zionists,” they’re buying into that same smear. They’re not separating bigotry from basic human rights criticism. That means you literally can’t speak out against genocide there without being branded an antisemite. The only way to say “stop the genocide” is to wear that label as a badge of honor. And that’s exactly the point: any platform that forces you to accept a false accusation just to state the obvious is complicit.
Who gives a shit what they call you, they have no credibility
The term is broken and should never be used by anyone outside of their fascist bubble. Arabs are a semitic people too I would add. If they don’t give the exact details of the offense, ignore. And if they do give the details, call it what it is, anti israel, anti zionist, anti fascist, or anti jewish. No country represents a race of people.
It’s all in bad faith anyway, it’s not about the plausibility of the argument, it’s about bullying you, and as such they come hard and fast at the first provokation to dissuade others before an organized resistance can form.
I completely agree. There was an analogy used at work some years ago. If we decided to call a dogs tail a leg, would that mean that all dogs have five legs? The answer is ridiculously simple. Dogs have four legs and a tail. The names used make no difference. In this case, if Israel is committing genocidal acts, then that is just a straight fact. Renaming objection as anti-Semitic does not take away the fact of the genocide.
That isn’t limited to right wing or far right groups. Plenty of liberal Zionists who are still hiding behind the anti semitism claim. I guess admitting that you spent most of your life shilling for apartheid and genocide must be tough.
Restricting certain forms of speech can be interpreted in two ways: As suppression of legitimate political critique. Or as boundary-setting to prevent generalizations or escalation.
Whether specific political positions are restricted depends not on how you see them, but on how moderators classify them. “Anti-Zionism” is not a single, defined category. It ranges from policy criticism against Israel, to positions that some moderators may interpret as targeting jews.
Give an explicit, specific example of anti-zionism that can be interpreted as “targeting jews”.
First of all, I’d say we’re on the same side. Israel is acting like a disgusting piece of shit. Also, many Israelis are abusing the term “antisemitic” to discredit people that they dont like. But I think we still need to differentiate. Therefore let me answer your question:
If the vanalism is against Israeli officials/buildings/state institutions, thats fine! Like ambassies, consulates, (international) representatives, politicians, economic figures, IDF members, etc… They are waging war and genocide, they deserve our anger + protest.
But If it hits religious institutions, private folks, jewish communities, holocaust memorials, etc. with no Israeli state background or links to the IDF, then maybe dont attack them, because otherwise it really is nothing but antisemitism. And that’s the point. If it was really only about the state of Israel, then why do so many “protests” explicitly target Jewish religious institutions (like synagogues, cemeteries, schools) rather than Israeli ones? It is not even rare thing to happen, thats why I wonder why you are asking. Examples:
Moldova, Kasauti. A Holocaust memorial was vandalized with ‘free Palestine’ graffiti.
Ukraine, Uman. A swastika was painted on a Jewish café.
UK, Glasgow. “Free Palestine” and “Fuck the no really Jews” were painted on a wall.
Italy, Milan. A man shouted “murderers” in front of a Jewish nursing home.
Italy, Milan. An elderly Jewish man, wearing a hat with a Star of David, was walking his dog, when a man tore off his hat, trampled it, and called the elderly man “dirty Jew.”
Italy, Milan. An Orthodox Jewish man was insulted on his way to a synagogue by an Italian couple who said to him, “F—king Zionist! You kill children!” On his way home he was shoved by a young man who shouted antisemitic epithets at him.
Germany, Oldenburg. An incendiary device was thrown at the door of the Oldenburg synagogue.
Belgium, Fleron. The home of Belgian Holocaust survivors was vandalized with “Gaza Free” and a swastika.
Munich, Germany. A man stood in front of the main synagogue, shouted antisemitic insults and give Hitler salutes.
Montevideo, Uruguay. A doll depicting a Jewish women with a Star of David and a spear piercing her forehead was displayed during a march for International Women’s Day.
Paris, France. A man wearing a kippah was attacked as he left a synagogue.
Babenhausen, Germany. A Jewish memorial column was smeared with paint.
Geneva, Switzerland. “Exterminate the Jews” and “Death to Zionists” graffiti were found in Geneva after a pro-Palestinian rally.
https://newengland.adl.org/resources/article/global-antisemitic-incidents-wake-hamas-war-israel
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2026/02/13/maryland-synagogue-antisemitism-vandalism/
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/san-leandro-high-school-lawsuit-22220489.php
Incredibly bad-faithed from you. I would be extremely disappointed given all your blathering about “quality discourse”, but I knew it was not earnest from the beginning. I will ignore the bad-faithed nature of your examples that MidnightPocket already pointed out.
The context of my question was a discussion of whether admins banning anti-zionist speech was anti-human. You replied to this by stating there is anti-zionism that “some moderators may interpret as targeting jews”. With no commentary and plenty of equivocation, this implies that that is a reasonable assessment in some circumstances. The context was decidedly NOT any of your examples.
Give an explicit circumstance.
Moldova, Kasauti. A Holocaust memorial was vandalized with ‘free Palestine’ graffiti.
Potentially your only half-decent example of what was requested by the other user (assuming the act was indeed committed by an anti-zionist).
Ukraine, Uman. A swastika was painted on a Jewish café.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
UK, Glasgow. “Free Palestine” and “Fuck the no really Jews” were painted on a wall.
Honestly, seems like the work of a bad-faith Zionist.
Italy, Milan. A man shouted “murderers” in front of a Jewish nursing home.
For all we know, the nursing home committed malpractice leading to the death of a tenant or something. This story is tantamount to hearsay.
Italy, Milan. An elderly Jewish man, wearing a hat with a Star of David, was walking his dog, when a man tore off his hat, trampled it, and called the elderly man “dirty Jew.”
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Italy, Milan. An Orthodox Jewish man was insulted on his way to a synagogue by an Italian couple who said to him, “F—king Zionist! You kill children!” On his way home…
For all we know, the man was sporting the Israeli flag. This story is tantamount to hearsay.
Germany, Oldenburg. An incendiary device was thrown at the door of the Oldenburg synagogue.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Belgium, Fleron. The home of Belgian Holocaust survivors was vandalized with “Gaza Free” and a swastika.
Honestly, seems like the work of a bad-faith Zionist.
Munich, Germany. A man stood in front of the main synagogue, shouted antisemitic insults and give Hitler salutes.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Montevideo, Uruguay. A doll depicting a Jewish women with a Star of David and a spear piercing her forehead was displayed during a march for International Women’s Day.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Paris, France. A man wearing a kippah was attacked as he left a synagogue.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Babenhausen, Germany. A Jewish memorial column was smeared with paint.
What does this have to do with anti-zionism?
Geneva, Switzerland. “Exterminate the Jews” and “Death to Zionists” graffiti were found in Geneva after a pro-Palestinian rally.
Honestly, seems like the work of a bad-faith Zionist.
Additional note: Your framing is somewhat binary, relying on a “if you’re not with me, you’re against me” logic. I understand the emotions that come with this topic, but your logic reduces complex positions to two options despite the existence of intermediate views. Nuanced actors might then be pushed into opposing camps, therefore intensifying conflict.
Edit, for context: Damned be Israel for everything they are doing right now. I am just trying to maintain some discourse quality.
Yup
no
What I’ve seen is that people get called a zionist without just cause frequently so I’m highly skeptical of anyone even using the term without evidence. I myself have been called a zionist a dozen times at least and I have never really even said anything that could be construed that way. The last time I remember it happening was by a user who literally had re-posted a neo-Nazi and was trying to sweep it under the rug. What was my offense? Pointing out that the user was a neo-Nazi. Yeah man sure if you think Nazis are a bad place to get your info you must love Israel and genocide /s
Pot calling the kettle black. Which just further lessens your credibility, if one wasn’t already familiar with your lack of it.
Ooh wow such coolness. A user hates me for cryptic reasons. Must also make me a zionist somehow. I take it I’m less credible than neo Nazis in your eyes
Another bad faith shit take, not answering the critique and playing victim. You have no credibility.
Hey buddy. This really isn’t so difficult. I’m going to clarify things for you and make this very simple for you.
Do you believe Israel has a right to exist as a nation state? Yes or no? If you answer yes, you are a Zionist. There is no burden of proof required. It is an ideology, this is not a court of law.
You pussyfooting around the point all but confirms to a scrupulous reader that you’re very likely a Zionist, but I’m willing to be wrong on this. Just tell us you condemn Israel and admit it has no right to exist and we will happily clear your name of the evil Zionist label.
But something tells me deep down inside that you’re going to throw a fit instead.
Do you believe Israel has a right to exist as a nation state?
The correct question should include “as a Jewish state”.
You’ve guaranteed a bad interaction so just know I’ve blocked you. Fuck Israel and fuck people who try to divide the left based on shit they made up. The only conclusion that can be drawn from what you said here is actually that you either find no problem with reposting neo-Nazis or you’d just prefer to believe I’m making up that it happened. No one needs to prove shit to cunts.
Right, if you can’t tell us that Israel has no right to exist, you’re a Zionist. “Fuck Israel” is a weak cop out that scumbags use to hide their Zionism.
Now you can stop acting confused when people label you that way, right? Right?
Zionist trash.
Removed by mod
