Robert Reich calls Netanyahu a war criminal, urges end to US military aid
Former Labor Secretary posts on Bluesky that criticizing Israel's government is not antisemitic, drawing hundreds of responses.
What to know
- Reich frames criticism of Netanyahu as distinct from antisemitism, a position echoed by overwhelming majority of respondents.
- Multiple Jewish commenters affirmed they can criticize Israel's government without questioning their Jewish identity.
- The conversation centers on the distinction between critiquing a government's actions and criticizing a religion or ethnicity.
- Commenters argued the US conflation of these categories is itself problematic.
The dispute No substantive disagreement appears in the evidence; the thread shows overwhelming consensus with Reich's position and the distinction between government criticism and antisemitism. · positions read across 189 posts and comments
Criticism of Netanyahu and Israeli government is legitimate and not antisemitic; the conflation of the two is itself problematic.
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“I've never understood some people's inability to distinguish between being Jewish and being the corrupt govt of the State of Israel.”
jpduguesclin.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Jewish people have a legitimate right and historical precedent to be among Israel's most vocal critics.
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“Some of the best and most vigorous critics of Israel, and most severely persecuted, are Jewish people ❤️✊”
timgoodacre.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The US should redirect military aid from Israel to other priorities like Ukraine.
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“No more military aid to Israel--or to Saudi Arabia. Ukraine needs it.”
ljoymills.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Robert Reich Former Labor Secretary, political commentator
Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Commenters affirm distinction between criticizing Israel's government and antisemitism
Over 270 responses to Reich's post emerged, with the dominant theme being agreement that criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's government is distinct from antisemitism. Multiple commenters, many identifying as Jewish, emphasized this distinction and called Netanyahu a war criminal.
“I've never understood some people's inability to distinguish between being Jewish and being the corrupt govt of the State of Israel.”
— jpduguesclin.bsky.social -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Zohran Mamdani makes Jews in New York City feel "unsafe. Here I am, a Jew in New York City, standing just a few meters away from a massive anti-Netanyahu demonstration, and I feel completely safe Benjamin Netanyahu is a liar. And a war criminal
2 more of the top 3 · 188 posts in this stretch
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Thanks for speaking out! And all your work.
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The idea that some people cannot distinguish between a country and its government is ridiculous. The USA is a great if flawed nation. And … Trump should be imprisoned for the rest of his life and fined all the money. You don’t need an IQ over 50 to grasp both assertions.
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Robert Reich posts criticism of Netanyahu on Bluesky
Former Labor Secretary and political commentator Robert Reich posted that Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal and his government has committed genocide in Gaza, calling for the US to end military assistance to Israel. He added that making this statement is not antisemitic.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal and his government has committed genocide in Gaza. The United States should stop all military assistance to Israel. Saying this is not antisemitic.”
— Robert Reich -
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Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal and his government has committed genocide in Gaza. The United States should stop all military assistance to Israel. Saying this is not antisemitic. (I’m Jewish, by the way.)
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What people are saying 20 voices from 1 site · best of 189 · verbatim
- Sep 26
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Gaza to become a tax-free ‘billionaire haven’ according to Jared Kushner and Zionist billionaires. We knew this was coming. This was pre-planed by trump to own Gaza. The genocide continues.
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100% - thank you!!! I am so sick of the people who keep equating anti-genocide with antisemitism — fire Segal & bring in someone who understands that all racism is bad #Auspol
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You know what is anti-Semitic? Telling me, a Jew, that I have to support Netanyahu’s genocide or somehow I’m not Jewish enough.
- Sep 25
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Everyone needs to see this and find that picture
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No more military aid to Israel--or to Saudi Arabia. Ukraine needs it.
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Yes. And for those who missed Nazi Netanyahu’s inspiring speech yesterday at the UN GA, here’s my unauthorized but succinct and accurate summary: Bibi: “Ignorance is strength! Freedom is slavery! War is peace! Genocide is rescue!” That’s it. Have a nice evening.
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As someone born Jewish, I have no intention of associating myself with or defending Netanyahu. What he and his ilk are doing is a serious crime against humanity.
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Jew here. Netanyahu is a criminal. He's every bit as evil as Hitler, Mao, Kim, Stalin, etc. May they all rot in hell.
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I am a Jew and I feel safe - but Netanyahu makes it unsafe for everyone!!
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Some of the best and most vigorous critics of Israel, and most severely persecuted, are Jewish people ❤️✊
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I've had many people on here equate the two in defense of Israel. "You want to me blame all Jews for Israel's actions?! Sure you want to go there?"
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Israel is a country founded in 1948. Zionism is a political movement started in 1882. Judaism is a religion that has been around for a few thousands of years.
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For the thinking impaired… Hamas was founded in 1987 after nearly 40 years of Israeli barbarism of murdering Palestinian civilians while stealing their lands and livelihoods. Hamas wants Israel out of Gaza exactly like the Polish resistance wanted Nazis expelled from Poland. Hope this helps.
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He should have been arrested the minute he hit NY
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Israeli occupation military did killed her family and stole her hand and legs..
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☝️☝️☝️ #NoBrainer #Netanyahu #WarCriminal #Genocide #Gaza @journeyled.bsky.social @0wned.bsky.social @bluewavers.bsky.social @cp-leveke.bsky.social @thebohemianstar.bsky.social @doll.dollsky.social @donnadeka.bsky.social @jen-notjenny.bsky.social @damourin.bsky.social @nurse-chapel.bsky.social
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Criticizing the government of Israel and BiBi Netanyahu is not the same as criticizing the entire Jewish faith and population. Do some people use that as an excuse for antisemitism? absolutely. But not everyone.
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All we have to do is close Site 512, and Israel will freak out. Heck, all we would have to do is just threaten we're shutting it down, and the Knesset will bundle Bibi in plastic wrap and ship him to the Hague. That radar can see a softball tossed from the roof of the Old Baharestan Palace.
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The United States of Israel is aiding in and complicit with genocide Nikki Haley signing bombs to murder children
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Indeed. I’ve never understood some people‘s inability to distinguish between being Jewish and being the corrupt govt of the State of Israel.