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A Pointless Petition?

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By David Morris - FJN Editor

 

Google will not delist JewWatch.com from its index, despite nearly 400,000 digital signatures appearing on an online petition demanding its removal

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Circulating since April 2004, the email chain letter petition to remove the anti-Semitic website JewWatch.com from Google’s search engine, is still out there in cyberspace. But despite its broad distribution, many wonder whether it will do any good, and whether it is advisable to sign it at all.

The petition was born when Steven Weinstock, a New York real estate investor and former yeshiva student, did a Google search on "Jew." One of the first sites that came up was JewWatch.com, a site containing hundreds of articles alleging Jewish conspiracies, Jewish atrocities, Jewish financial manipulations, Zionist occupation and denial of the Holocaust.

Legally there are no grounds to remove JewWatch from the web according to David Barkey, Southern Area Counsel of the Anti-Defamation League.

"The right to freedom of speech and press under the First Amendment clearly permits such sites to exist and there are unfortunately a countless number of racist and hateful sites on the Internet," says Barkey. "The ADL has been working with Google to resolve this issue and we have been told that Google is developing computer technology that would flag such sites and at least ‘push’ them way down in any search."

Realizing so many believe that "if it’s in writing then it must be true," Barkey knows that for a site like JewWatch to come up at the very top of an Internet search is especially troubling in this day and age.

"The Jewish people have been battling anti-Semitism found within the written word for centuries and yes, now it’s on the Internet. But at the same time the Internet gives us so many positive things that limiting its freedom of expression would be very ill advised," says Barkey. "ADL’s mantra is to counter hate speech with that much more speech denouncing it. We must be concerned about JewWatch but we must be no less concerned about the use of the Internet for criminal activity and how it might be used to truly threaten people."

In this regard, Barkey warns that signing the ‘Remove JewWatch’ petition with one’s full name could be potentially dangerous.

"Once your name is on that petition, it becomes publicly accessible, and that’s what you are agreeing to when you sign any online petition. You just don’t know what an anti-Semitic site might do with it," Barkey said. "It is becoming easier and easier to find out where someone [lives and] works just through their name."

Upon launching his petition over three years ago, Weinstock claimed that if Google would receive 50,000 requests it would remove the site. The petition, hosted by PetitionOnline.com, currently has nearly 400,000 signatures. A recent version of the emailed petition received by the Florida Jewish News indicates that 500,000 signatures would be necessary.

But according to this email sent to the Florida Jewish News from a Google spokesperson, no number of signatures can result in the removal of a site from its index:

"This email chain letter has been around for more than three years now and it’s not true that we will (or even can) remove content after 50,000 requests. Search engines are a reflection of the content and information that is available on the Internet. It’s important to bear in mind that search engines do not have the ability to remove content directly from the Internet, so removing content from Google or another search engine would still leave the original content that exists on the web. Users that want content removed from the Internet should contact the webmaster of the page or the Internet hosting companies, or ISPs, hosting the content to find out their content removal policies."

The JewWatch site is hosted by PrivateWebHosting.org, a website hosting company owned by Hal Turner, a White Supremacist who also operates the Turner Radio Network, an Internet radio network described by former KKK member Floyd Cochran in a recent interview on Fox News as "the Al-Jazeera of the racist world."

Turner’s web hosting company specializes in hosting racist sites that have been kicked out by other hosting companies. According to the company’s homepage, "Private Web Hosting.org is a private membership club…In order to have your web site hosted by us, you need to be a straight, white, non-jew."

In a telephone interview Turner admitted that the information on JewWatch was "not very favorable to Jewish or Zionist interests" and that he appreciates the deep emotional feelings of Jews upon seeing such a site. He recommended that Jewish internet users "accept the slings and arrows of life and let it just roll off them instead of trying to silence all those who see things differently. Just the fact that you [FJN] are making this call to me is proof that Jews are not secure enough in who they are and have to suppress anyone who criticizes them."

In response to the uproar over the prime positioning of JewWatch whenever the word "Jew" or "Jews" is typed in, it has placed a link to the following "explanation of our search results" at the very top of the results page:

"If you recently used Google to search for the word ‘Jew,’ you may have seen results that were very disturbing. We assure you that the views expressed by the sites in your results are not in any way endorsed by Google. A site’s ranking in Google’s search results relies heavily on computer algorithms using thousands of factors to calculate a page’s relevance to a given query. Sometimes subtleties of language cause anomalies to appear that cannot be predicted. A search for ‘Jew’ brings up one such unexpected result. If you use Google to search for ‘Judaism,’ ‘Jewish’ or ‘Jewish people,’ the results are informative and relevant. So why is a search for ‘Jew’ different? One reason is that the word ‘Jew’ is often used in an anti-Semitic context. Jewish organizations are more likely to use the word ‘Jewish’ when talking about members of their faith...The beliefs and preferences of those who work at Google, as well as the opinions of the general public, do not determine or impact our search results. Individual citizens and public interest groups do periodically urge us to remove particular links or otherwise adjust search results. Although Google reserves the right to address such requests individually, Google views the comprehensiveness of our search results as an extremely important priority. Accordingly, we do not remove a page from our search results simply because its content is unpopular or because we receive complaints concerning it. We will, however, remove pages from our results if we believe the page (or its site) violates our Webmaster Guidelines, if we believe we are required to do so by law, or at the request of the Webmaster who is responsible for the page."

 

FJN Publisher Avi Frier contributed to this report.


Posted by David Morris - FJN Editor on 10/03 at 03:46 PM • Hits: 283



Reader Comments

  1. I agree with what Hal Turner said in the telephone conversation. What gives jews the right to silence anyone? Matter of fact, I can’t think of any other group who has their own word for when people don’t agree or like them, “Anti-Semetic”. That’s disturbing!


    Posted by Joe  on  10/03  at  05:05 PM

  2. Your article states that David Barkey, Southern Area Counsel of the Anti-Defamation League said, “The ADL has been working with Google to resolve this issue and we have been told that Google is developing computer technology that would flag [racist and hateful sites on the Internet] and at least ‘push’ them way down in any search.” I’m curious to know who told him that, since Google states that they will NOT manipulate search results due to unpopularity.


    Posted by Gregg  on  10/03  at  06:05 PM

  3. Jews need to stop whining. If there was nothing wrong with them or what they do, they wouldn’t feel threatened and insecure about something like this. Jews CANNOT be trusted.


    Posted by john  on  10/03  at  06:17 PM

  4. So 500,000 signatures is all you can up with in three years?  And you think this is what Jews think justifies shutting down JewWatch.com.

    Jews are their own worst enemy.  Zionists better worry about the Goyim (or cattle as they are called in the Talmud) in the USA becoming fed up with American youth fighting and coming home in boxes for Israel.

    The irony?  The Goyim in America pay billions for the pleasure.  Millions on the net are convinced Jews have bigger problems then so called hate sites.  JewWatch and others only reflect what millions are thinking: White Nationalism is growing and nothing can stop it or JewWatch (and many other White Nationalist sites) would not be at the top of the GOOGLE page ranking.

    PS/ Do Jews ever give a thought to the millions upon millions of people slaughtered in Europe during WWII??


    Posted by Cliff  on  10/03  at  07:35 PM

  5. There is no good jew.


    Posted by Mike Matthews  on  10/03  at  08:34 PM

  6. Either you believe in FREE SPEECH or you don’t. 

    Americans are not going to let a few whining terrorist Jews change their fundamental Constitution and Bill of Rights.


    Posted by njattack  on  10/03  at  08:36 PM

  7. Always the eternal victim, always the accuser.
    Hey jews! Guess what?  It works both ways.

    Yes, even the self-chosen may be accused of having a checkered past.


    Posted by Inquisitor  on  10/03  at  08:46 PM

  8. Communism was invented and financed by jEW$.Now jEW NY gov. Eliot SPITzer wants to give illegal aliens driver licenses by this November.Also jEW$ NOT Whites brought slaves to the U.S.Sounds like a serious DNA problem to me.


    Posted by Stacey  on  10/03  at  09:14 PM

  9. The last time I checked, people are free to voice their opinions and ideas no matter the subject. Why should certain things be censored and subjected to actions similar to witch hunts? If you do not like it, do not read it or just ignore it.


    Posted by Mirdail  on  10/03  at  09:51 PM

  10. Great idea to create a petition of Zionists whiners who are trying to censor criticism of their conduct.

    Does anybody know how we could get our hands on it?

    Thanks


    Posted by Paul Revere  on  10/03  at  10:38 PM

  11. The Jewish people of America, have enough troubles, without hate sites like Hal Turner and his racist bigotry web hosting adding to them.

    As a born-again Christian, I support Israel and the Jews across the world, without reservation.  The bible says they’re God’s people and that’s good enough for me!

    Always remember what God told Abraham… “I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee.” I don’t need to see or read anything more, to tell me what I’m going to do.

    The thing I don’t understand about America… we’re the “land of the free and home of the brave”.  Yeah… “free” to hate people for no reason other than the color of their skin or their nationality.  I don’t understand that.  Does the “brave” part come in where people like Hal Turner and his ilk march proudly in people’s face and spew forth their racist bigoted verbal venom without fear of reprisal, because our laws/amendments are so lienient, as to allow it?

    I sometimes wonder… just how proud should I be, to be an American?  Is it worth being in “a free country”, if “freedom” allows people to do all the wrong things they shouldn’t do, along with the right things they should?  Is “freedom” really worth all the evils of racism and bigotry and every other vile imagination the human mind can conjure up?  I sometimes wonder…

    I really can’t wait til this world is over and done with, so things can be put back the way *God* wants them!  All we humans (of every race, creed, and color) do is screw things up, one way or another, sooner or later.

    This world’s no fun to be on anymore.  I’m ready to get off. LOL


    Posted by Luposian  on  10/05  at  12:04 PM

  12. Some people are so ignorant but as i heard and always said ( ignorance is curable stupid is for ever). the right to free speech is one of the most important if not the most important issues that we as patriotic americans are faced with. everyone is entitled to an opinion wether it offends or not . but people need to study history to see the true reason why people are the way they are!


    Posted by trevor  on  10/05  at  02:40 PM

  13. The site belonging to the well-known white-collar criminal Frank Weltner* is tantamount to slander. Slander is a crime.

    * Ever notice that it’s usually guys with German last names doing this?


    Posted by Lightning Roy  on  10/06  at  12:31 AM

  14. "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.”
    —
    Revelation 2:9


    Posted by Inquisitor  on  10/06  at  02:30 PM

  15. Inquisitor…

    I think that verse of the bible may refer to Jews who are “secular Jews” (non-religious; non-practicing).  It’s the same thing as a person who calls themself a “Christian”, but doesn’t directly acknowledge Christ as their Lord and Savior.  “Christian” means a follower of Christ (why else have his name as part of the name).

    So, the bible is right, but the context must also be understood and who is saying it and why.


    Posted by Luposian  on  10/06  at  08:24 PM

  16. The people claiming to be the jews of the bible today are about 90% Khazars from Eastern Europe. They have nothing to do with Palistine and never did.

    And here we have Jesus speaking to the pretenders.

    Jhn 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.


    Posted by Inquisitor  on  10/07  at  03:10 PM

  17. Stacey:

    Have you ever actually met a russian who lived in the soviet union?

    If you did, you’d learn two things:

    1. None of them actually blame Jews for communism.
    2. Russians are highly obnoxious and DESERVE to be starved and beaten.


    Posted by Ioannis Pappagiorgiou  on  10/07  at  04:40 PM

  18. I am Jewish and American. I believe in freedom of speech. The main problem with Jewish people is they allow written articles to get to them. Not everyone in this world is ignorant. Though sometimes that might even be debated. Yes, millions of my people have been killed due to ignorant people. Yet, we are not the only ones that allow written articles to control our lives. Everyone lives in the past and thrive on what happened to their ancestors. I’m not saying anyone should forget. But everyone really needs to move on and think about the future of our countries. Who cares if some people have a site filled with lies or not filled with lies. Grow up and move on!


    Posted by Abby  on  10/08  at  12:40 PM

  19. I am sorry that this site is on top rank for search of “jew” on google but, there is noting contrary to truth on this site, I suggest Zionists to correct themselves and stop crimes under cover of religion, instead of shutting down voice of reality. world hate Zionists and Isreal, but not jews.


    Posted by IcePack  on  10/08  at  02:06 PM

  20. Jewwatch.com is a collection of links to mainstream media articles. Why do people choose to pretend like this is a hate site? Are the main stream news site that the jewwatch links to also being attacked by those looking to silence the flow of truthful information.

    Anything critical of Zionisim is silenced. Peaceful Torah believing jews do not support zionisim, or the Israeli opression of people of Palastine.


    Posted by James  on  10/08  at  04:12 PM

  21. Im a proud Jew and personally I dont have a Conspiration to conquer the world or nothing that looks alike, the only thing I want, and I think you can understand it because you want the same, is a place I can call home, a place where I can feel identified, a place where my roots come from, and for me is Israel. Israel like any other country its far away of beeing perfect but I sware the only thing we want is to live in Peace, like you also want for you and your ones.
    I think the world would be a better place if we stopped judjing and started listening each other. I belive in free speach, but I belive more in it when it has a real porpuse like finding solutions and not only to create hate, because remember, there are always 2 sides in one coin.
    Ask yourself, why Israel if there are many countries cometing atrocities, of course it has a racist background!


    Posted by Debby  on  10/08  at  07:44 PM

  22. Woow, the florida jewsnews full of anti-jew hate!!! A home for pure white racist. I so proud of american seft-hating jews. Why you don’t convert to islam, christianism and leave Am Israel in peace.
    And to all this racist morons, the 1 finger salute is dedicated to you…


    Posted by A proud no religious jew  on  10/08  at  07:44 PM

  23. What jews have that other have not to think that the world should bow to their desiderata, like removing stuff they don’t like from Google?

    Oh, sorry, I forgot, they’re the chosen people. My bad. I must be a closet antisemite…


    Posted by Jean Naimard  on  10/08  at  07:59 PM

  24. How is it that there are several Arab nations surrounding this tiny little country and none of them will accept Israeli Arabs? There’s no such thing as Palestinians anymore since the country formerly known as Paletstine no longer exists. I also wonder, would it be necessary for oppression and safety measures on the part of Israeli Jews if the Israeli Arabs weren’t such terrorists?
    I’m a peaceful Torah believing Jew, and I don’t support oppression but don’t we have a right to defend ourselves from the katusha rockets being shot from Israeli Arab cities into Jewish Israeli kindergardens and elementary schools? Israel does what must be done to be able to live. I don’t see Mexicans sending bombs into Dallas. And if this is how Israeli Arabs negotiate well then excuse us for setting up the safety measures. The “D” in “IDF” stands for “Defense” for a reason.


    Posted by Tziporah  on  10/08  at  10:18 PM

  25. I am just curious,

    If I pay google per click to advertise the phrase
    “Google Rapes Women” As a number 1 spot bid.

    Will Google say that I have the freedom to advertise this phrase under my first amendment rights?

    I wonder if Google would keep that ad as number one

    I highly doubt it.

    Just a thought,


    Posted by Andy  on  10/08  at  11:22 PM

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