In its internal "Lines of Response," Amnesty’s frames its position on chants and slogans (such as ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free) by trying to do 3 things at once: defend space for pro-Palestinian expression, avoid conflating political critique with antisemitism, and preserve a high threshold for restricting speech. But as a defense/explanation, it fails to clearly address its harmful impact, set a firm boundary for when it becomes hate speech, and avoid dismissive rhetoric (“manipulation”) or deflection (Likud comparison), resulting in insufficient attention to Jewish safety and antisemitic climate risks. (SEE ATTACHMENT)
It States:
**What is Amnesty’s view on chants and slogans such as ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.’ Is it not anti-Semitic?**
As a human rights organization, Amnesty International calls on states to fulfil their obligation to take effective steps to tackle racism and any manifestation of prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and hostility towards targeted groups, including antisemitism, in accordance with international law. Jewish people and people perceived to be Jewish are to be distinguished and not conflated with the Israeli authorities and their policies or the violation of Palestinians’ rights, such assumptions are a form of antisemitism.
Therefore, criticism of Israel’s policies and expression advocating for Palestinians’ rights must not be automatically considered antisemitic. This particular chant has been used since the 1960s by many different groups in many different contexts. For some it is seen as a slogan to demand equal rights for Palestinians wherever they are located. Some groups have described it as a call for Palestinians to be free from the oppression of apartheid, which Palestinians are subjected to whether in the West Bank and Gaza, in Israel proper, or as refugees who are denied the right to return.
For others , it represents a call for Israel’s destruction. The chant is widely seen by Palestinians and many others as a call for freedom for all Palestinians that recognizes the fragmentation of the Palestinian people between the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and the diaspora. The assumption that calling for freedom for Palestinians necessitates the destruction of the state of Israel is a manipulation of this phrase.
The phrase “between the river to the sea” has also been used by Israeli political parties and Zionist groups such as the Likud 1977 founding charter which states: “Between the sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty.” There are also multiple examples of current and former Israeli government officials making claims of sovereignty that fail to acknowledge the presence and rights of Palestinians such as by sharing maps that do not recognize the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The right to freedom of expression extends to expression which shocks, offends and disturbs. Amnesty International advocates for any restriction on freedom of expression to be the least intrusive means and to be established by law. The organization does not normally express an opinion on whether specific statements or expressions amount to prohibited advocacy of hatred, the organisation calls on states to fulfil their obligations under international human rights law and take concrete actions to counter stereotypes and eradicate discrimination.
