The Times of Israel has issued a grovelling apology after publishing a disturbing blog post explicitly endorsing genocide against the Palestinian people.
The paper said it had "removed an unacceptable blog post", described as "both damnable and ignorant," which "blatantly breached" editorial guidelines.
The blog by Yochanan Gordon, titled "When Genocide Is Permissible," calmly argues for the complete obliteration of not just Hamas, but of everyone — women, children, innocent civilians — who lives in the Gaza strip.
The article stated: "Hamas has stated forthrightly that it idealises death as much as Israel celebrates life. What other way then is there to deal with an enemy of this nature other than obliterate them completely?"
"We have already established that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the safety and security of its people. If political leaders and military experts determine that the only way to achieve its goal of sustaining quiet is through genocide is it then permissible to achieve those responsible goals?"
"Anyone who lives with rocket launchers installed or terror tunnels burrowed in or around the vicinity of their home cannot be considered an innocent civilian."
The editorial was also printed in the Five Towns Jewish Times, a news outlet founded by Gordon’s father.
Many, including a large number of Israelis, reacted with horror to the blog post.
Gordon also took aim at the UN and US, who brokered the most recent failed cease-fire, while lambasting news networks, such as the BBC and Al Jazeera for concentrating on the "majority of innocent civilians who have lost their lives". He added: "Anyone who lives with rocket launchers installed or terror tunnels burrowed in or around the vicinity of their home cannot be considered an innocent civilian."
The author briefly defended his comments on Twitter, even posting a bizarre hash tag calling for the impeachment of President Obama. His Twitter account then swiftly disappeared.
Gordon eventually issued the following apology:
I never intended to call to harm any people although my words may have conveyed that message.
I wish to express deep regret and beg forgiveness for an article I authored which was posted on 5TJT.com, Times of Israel and was tweeted and shared the world over.
I never intended to call to harm any people although my words may have conveyed that message.
With that said I pray and hope for a quick peaceful end to the hostilities and that all people learn to coexist with each other in creating a better world for us all.
Yochanan Gordon