The Times of Israel ran an online comment piece on Friday entitled, "When Genocide Is Permissible," only to take the article down following worldwide condemnation. The piece, penned by Yochanan Gordon, argued that committing genocide against Palestinians was justifiable as a means to creating "sustained quiet" in the region.
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?"
On the Times of Israel today: http://t.co/AD0QahHtVupic.twitter.com/kLXlMDBEdB
— brendan james (@deep_beige) August 1, 2014
The piece quickly gained traction on Twitter, with thousands condemning the piece, while a raft of scathing comments were posted below the article, many from Israelis decrying the editorial.
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 URL where the article was originally posted currently runs an explanation for removing the piece, which the publication said breached "editorial guidelines".
The Times of Israel on Friday removed an unacceptable blog post, entitled “When genocide is permissible.”
This blog post, which was described by our Ops & Blogs editor as both damnable and ignorant, blatantly breached The Times of Israel’s editorial guidelines.
We have discontinued the writer’s blog.
The Times of Israel maintains an open blog platform: Once we have accepted bloggers, we allow them to post their own items. This trust has rarely been abused. We are angry and appalled that it was in this case, and will take steps to prevent a recurrence.
We will not countenance blog posts that incite to violence or criminal acts.
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 curiously disappeared.
UPDATE: Yochanan Gordon has 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