Tackle anti-Semitism online after US massacre says JRCI

The Government should focus on tackling anti-Semitism online following what’s been dubbed as the deadliest rampage against the Jewish community in US history, according to the chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland.

“If we look at this particular incident in Pittsburgh, unfortunately people who have these mental aberrations their feelings are given vent on social media,” said Maurice Cohen, “and while we want to keep a balance between freedom of speech, we certainly have to have some sort of check on this freedom when it gives people a platform of incitement – an audience that seems to embolden them,” he said.

“We do have unfortunately something similar here because we know that there is some terrible anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rants on social media here.”

Robert Bowers, armed with an AR-15 style assault rifle and three handguns, shouted anti-Semitic slurs before killing 11 people and injuring four police officers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

He was connected to an account on a social media platform called Gab, which has nearly no restrictions on content, where he espoused anti-Semitic views. Bowers last post was believed to be five minutes before the shooting, in which he wrote: “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” Baron now faces 29 charges.

“Really it’s up to the Government and Western governments to bring in the correct sort of legislation that combat hate speech, my views are freedom of speech is one thing but incitement of hatred needs to be stamped out,” said Mr Cohen.

Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the city of Pittsburgh after the attack during his Angelus address on Sunday saying “God might welcome into His peace those who have died; comfort their families; and sustain those who were wounded”.

He said: “We are all wounded by this inhuman act of violence.” Francis prayed that the Lord might “help us to extinguish the hotbeds of hatred that are developing in our societies, strengthening the sense of humanity, respect for life, moral and civil values, and the holy fear of God, who is Love and the Father of all.”

Commenting on the need for ecumenical solidarity in difficult times Mr Cohen said: “It is very important to have these comments from other religious denominations. It’s good to know that at the very top of Ireland and of abroad the leadership of other churches’ religions absolutely abhor these sort of actions by these few people around the world.”