"Khaybar" has an all-star pan-Arab cast, with famous actors from Syria, Jordan and Egypt acting out roles from the linchpin event of the series, the defeat of Jews in the battle of Khaybar.Egyptian actor Khalil Marsa gives behind-the-scenes tidbits in an Egyptian article, where we learn that "The series 'Khaybar' focuses mainly the Jewish community, their ideas, characteristics, tactics and the extent of entrenched hostility between them and the Arabs from the days of Moses."
Youm7 talks about how the director is working day and night to complete post-production before Ramadan next month. It says that the film as "addresses issues to uncover the betrayal of the Jews and their false promises since the battle."
DPNews Arabic says that besides the historical parts of the series, it "sheds light on Jews' attributes and how they have caused the enmity and hatred of others."
One webpage dedicated to Ramadan TV series expects Khaybar to have no less than 30 parts.
I was wondering if perhaps the reason that HRW and Amnesty refuse to condemn this upcoming series, or indeed any Arab antisemitism, is because they support free speech, and refuse to condemn any incitement or hate speech. However, this is not the case.
In 2012, HRW noted that "International human rights law provides strong protections for free expression. It grants states leeway to restrict it, provided that such restrictions are both defined narrowly and necessary in a democratic society for national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. In addition, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires states to prohibit “advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.”
Amnesty similarly states "[T]he right to freedom of expression is not absolute -- neither for the creators of material nor their critics. It carries responsibilities and it may, therefore, be subject to restrictions in the name of safeguarding the rights of others. In particular, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence cannot be considered legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Under international standards, such 'hate speech' should be prohibited by law."
Can Khaybar - a slick film production whose entire purpose is to demonize Jews as a people - be seen as anything other than hate speech? Do human rights organizations think that Hollywood-style production shields a film from the fact that its entire purpose is to promote hate?
We have a chance to publicize this hate before it airs, and to force the promoters and state sponsors to answer for their hate. It is a shame that "human rights" organizations are hiding from their responsibility to lead against such incitement.
Please sign the petition to convince Amnesty and HRW to simply make a statement against this upcoming mass incitement. Their adamant refusal to speak against it so far, under their own definitions of hate speech, is truly hypocritical.