Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country.
The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced the decision early Friday but did not provide a reason.
Yeni Safak newspaper, which is close to the government, and other media said access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
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Unlike its Western allies, Turkey does not consider Hamas to be a terror organization. A strong critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Erdogan has described the group as “liberation fighters.”
Haniyeh earned his Specially Designated Global Terrorist title on January 31, 2018. A company caught hosting terrorism-promoting content can face company-ending consequences. Executives have been sent to prison for turning a blind eye to doing business with sanctioned countries. Instagram was probably complying with these regulations.
Punishing Instagram for complying with the law puts Turkey into a precarious position. It’s an open secret that they offer cheap rubber, steel, and other raw materials because they’re willing to lie on forms and act as a conduit for Russia and Iran to bypass sanctions. Too much attention on sanctions programs and Turkey in the same sentence can potentially end that part of their economy, which they can’t really afford right now.
Not a fan of Hamas or Erdogan but who is considered a terrorist and who is subject to sanctions is very arbitrary. Why is Netanjahu not considered a terrorist? Why are there no sanctions against Israel? We both know the answers, but the point is, in a rules for thee not for me kind of world who even cares anymore?
Subjective, but not arbitrary. Here’s the relevant sections of EO13224 (linked above):
…may designate foreign individuals or entities that he determines have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S.;
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For the purpose of the Order, “terrorism” is defined to be an activity that (1) involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, property, or infrastructure; and (2) appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, kidnapping, or hostage-taking.
There are 8 US citizens still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - which means they meet the criteria of both 1 and 2. That’s without opening up any other accusations of terrorism.
There are also u.s. citizens being bombed in Gaza, is the person dropping the bomb or anyone on the chain of command up to Bibi being designated a terrorist?
Searching news archives doesn’t pull up any results for Palestinian American citizens killed in Gaza. I probably missed something if you’re so confident, so please send some sources if you have them on hand.
Designations of terrorism were more or less invented to deal with non-state actors. Which is why the definitions largely overlap with war crimes. If you’ll recall, the ICC are discussing whether or not to issue warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu, Gallant, Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh.
You don’t remember the incident where Israel double tapped an aid convoy with American citizens inside. Even Biden heard about it and thought it was fucked up.
It’s true Palestinian Americans will rarely get reported on due to media bias, but they’ll still report on incidence like these effecting international aid workers and journalists as they sympathize with them more, even the above article mentions 196 have been killed and that’s from months ago.
As for the state non-state definition the u.s. has gotten around that with calling them “state sponsors of terrorism” putting them on a list and imposing sanctions. The fact Cuba is on that list and Israel isn’t really shows the legitimacy of it.
Hamas are fighters for the freedom of their land. Children murderers and genocide enablers are the real terrorists.
