Twitter has referred to former Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney’s tweet accusing Zionists of being behind 9/11 as “strong political commentary,” according to the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
McKinney, who previously ran for president in the Green Party, tweeted on June 28, “The final piece of the puzzle” with a picture of a puzzle piece of the word “Zionists” being placed into a puzzle depicting the 9/11 terror attacks. Below the word “Zionists” were the words “did it.” AJC CEO David Harris tweeted on June 29, “Think about it. A blood libel against ‘Zionists,’ a toxic conspiracy theory & a boldfaced lie are nothing more than, um, strong political commentary. Appalling.”
Asked about the suitability of @cynthiamckinney tweet below, @Twitter described it as “strong political commentary.”
Think about it.
A blood libel against “Zionists,” a toxic conspiracy theory & a boldfaced lie are nothing more than, um, strong political commentary.
Appalling. https://t.co/AgeUWO02mV
— David Harris (@DavidHarrisNY) June 29, 2021
According to the AJC’s website, Twitter temporarily removed McKinney’s tweet on Tuesday, only to later restore it; as of this writing, the tweet remains on the site.
“Blaming Jews, Israelis, or Zionists for the 9/11 terrorist attacks is one of countless conspiracy theories that have spread antisemitic beliefs that blame Jews for the world’s worst tragedies from medieval times until the present day,” the AJC wrote.
📢 @Twitter's failure to remove an antisemitic tweet by former Congresswoman @CynthiaMcKinney is only the latest example.
The social media company has a long history of ignoring antisemites using Twitter to promote Jew-hatred.
Learn more:https://t.co/6ArbcdpQB3 pic.twitter.com/pPZR04kJW2
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 2, 2021
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also tweeted, “From #AyatollahKhamenei to @cynthiamckinney – #antiSemites have a welcoming home on @Twitter.”
From #AyatollahKhamenei to @cynthiamckinney –#antiSemites have a welcoming home on @Twitter https://t.co/k3Iw29vtiS
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) July 1, 2021
Former Miss Iraq Sarah Idan noted in a tweet that McKinney’s Twitter “followers are increasing… that says a lot.”
Her followers are increasing… that says a lot
— Sarai (Sarah Idan) Miss Iraq (@RealSarahIdan) June 30, 2021
Joel M. Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District in New York and a contributor to various Jewish publications, tweeted, “I’m old enough to remember when a US President was removed from Twitter and they put blue Fact Warnings on every election post, but THIS meets standards.”
*Strong political commentary* apparently extends to falsely accusing Jews of committing a horrific act of terrorism on 9/11.
I'm old enough to remember when a US President was removed from Twitter and they put blue Fact Warnings on every election post, but THIS meets standards.
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) June 29, 2021
Twitter did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.
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