Tens of Thousands of Twitter Comments Celebrate Meron Stampede Deaths

Investigative journalist David Collier found that out of the 30,000 responses to Al Jazeera’s report on the matter, more than 10,000 of them were “either laughing at or loving the fact innocent Jews have died.”

[additional-authors]

Aaron Bandler

April 30, 2021

A police officer walks at the scene where dozens were killed in a crush at a religious festival in Mount Meron on April 30, 2021 in Meron, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

A new report suggests that there were at least tens of thousands of Twitter posts celebrating the deaths that occurred at the April 29 stampede on Israel’s Mount Meron.

The stampede, which occurred during a Lag B’Omer celebration of Orthodox Jews, resulted in at least 45 people dead. The Jewish Chronicle reported that investigative journalist David Collier found that out of the 30,000 responses to Al Jazeera’s report on the matter, more than 10,000 of them were “either laughing at or loving the fact innocent Jews have died.” “It isn’t about a few sickos celebrating the awful tragedy in Israel,” Collier tweeted. “IT IS THE SCALE OF IT.”

It isn't about a few sickos celebrating the awful tragedy in Israel. IT IS THE SCALE OF IT.

Al Jazeera posted 6 hours ago. There have been 30,000 responses.

10,000+ (33%) either laughing at or loving the fact innocent Jews have died.

The most liked comments -the most vicious. pic.twitter.com/SbHb4myGRI

— David Collier (@mishtal) April 30, 2021

Collier later tweeted that in total there were “100,000s [of] joyful posts,” “vile hashtags in Arabic” and “wishes more Jews had died. Don’t ever ask me why I am a Zionist!”

Last night there was a tragedy in Israel – 45 orthodox Jews- including children lost their lives.

Today we see –
-Sickening celebrations over their deaths
-100,000s joyful posts
-vile hashtags TRENDING in Arabic
-Wishes more Jews had died.

Don't ever ask me why I am a Zionist!

— David Collier (@mishtal) April 30, 2021

Stop Antisemitism shared screenshots of some of the posts celebrating the stampede deaths in response to a tweet from the News Press, including “Its about time we got some good news on media,” “LMAOOOO [laughing my a—off]” and “Made my night 1000000% better.”

More pic.twitter.com/F6wDUY1F56

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 30, 2021

Jewish groups condemned the celebratory social media posts. “Don’t look away from these distressing numbers and what they represent,” the Simon Wiesenthal Center tweeted. “They reflect depths of #antisemitic hate that exists in 2021.”

Don’t look away from these distressing numbers and what they represent. They reflect depths of #antisemitic hate that exists in 2021 https://t.co/JezmTrHiNz via @jewishchron

— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) April 30, 2021

StandWithUs similarly tweeted, “Following today’s tragedy at Mount Meron, we are appalled at the number of people celebrating the death of Jews just because they are Jews.”

Following today's tragedy at Mount Meron, we are appalled at the number of people celebrating the death of Jews just because they are Jews. pic.twitter.com/xBZqicl9W1

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) April 30, 2021

Israel-based writer and activist Hen Mazzig also tweeted, “To the people victim-blaming and celebrating the death of innocent 45 Jews last night: They might have lost their lives but you’ve lost your souls.”

To the people victim-blaming and celebrating the death of innocent 45 Jews last night:

They might have lost their lives but you’ve lost your souls.

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) April 30, 2021