Activists seek to rebrand Israel as 'JSIL'

Twitter users compare Israel to ISIL, renaming it the 'Jewish State of Israel in the Levant'.

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The Jewish State of Israel in the Levant: that’s what a group of pro-Palestine activists are now calling Israel, in a play on words on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The hashtag #JSIL has been tweeted more than 5,200 times as Twitter users protest Israel's actions.

Activist Max Blumenthal first made the comparison between ISIL and Israel during the Russell Tribunal on Palestine.

View the story "Activists seek to rebrand Israel as 'JSIL'" on StorifyActivists seek to rebrand Israel as 'JSIL'Twitter users compare Israel to ISIL, renaming it the 'Jewish State of Israel in the Levant'.Storified by The Stream· Tue, Sep 30 2014 18:03:55 Russell Tribunal on Palestine - Ken Loach, Roger WatersguenglOnline, Rania Khalek expanded on Blumenthal's comparison, encouraging others to add on using #JSIL.Parallels between ISIL & #JSIL are striking. Both solicit foreign fighters & use religious text to justify violence. @MaxBlumenthalRania Khalek#JSIL trend itRania KhalekJust as Muslims said ISIL’s actions were #NotInMyName, Blumenthal went on to condemn Israel's relationship to Judaism. #ISIL falsely claims to embody the true Islam, inspiring Islamophobia. #JSIL falsely claims to represent all Jews, inspiring anti-Semitism.Max BlumenthalOthers tweeted their assent. I unequivocally condemn the Jewish State of Israel and the Levant #JSIL, even though @BarackObama hasn't asked me to.Joel ReinsteinMuslims against #ISIL & Jews against #JSIL. #NotInMyNameAnne-MereteThere are many Jews that are fierce opponents of #JSIL because they see what is being done in their name and they are furious. #BDS #GAZAHasbara Troll

Some using the hashtag couched Israel’s public relations campaigns in the language frequently used to talk about ISIL recruitment.

Growing up Jewish in America, #JSIL infiltrated my synagogue and actively recruits from my community to kill for its expansionist aims.Dan CohenHeartbreaking stories coming out from Jews radicalized by extremist clerics as kids to be recruited into #JSILTerrina Aguilar#JSIL has secret cells in US to promote its agenda of suppression of the Palestinian people. These cells have infiltrated the gov't. #AIPACabushalomOthers satirically asked whether the United States would come to the aid of Palestinians.#JSIL extremists lay siege to cleansed, bombed and battered ethnic group, restricting access to food. OBAMA, WHERE ARE THE CARRIERS?IDFcomedianI wonder when US would take action against Jewish State in Israel and the Levant #JSILKashif QureshiBut the hashtag did generate backlash as well, with many online saying the hashtag was simply a distraction..@MaxBlumenthal and his merry band of Israel haters must think their #JSIL shenanigans are very clever. Nope.Jamie Weinstein#JSIL what is that? Some perverse tactic to distract from media focus on #ISIS. Any excuse for some baseless anti-Israel rhetoric!Amanda Burns @JosephIsVegan @MoAnsar #JSIL guys clever 4 letter acronyms won't distract from the islamic evil state - nice try thoughaalenian2009