Facebook on Thursday removed an Ultra-Orthodox party election campaign video that compared Reformation and Conservative changes to Judaism to dogs, believing it made an “anti-Semitic comparison.”
The video, which sparked controversy on social media, was released by United Torah Judaism (UTJ) in response to a Supreme Court ruling recognizing those who converted to Judaism through Reformation or Conservative changes in Israel as Jewish by the state and would be allowed to obtain Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return.
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Screengrab from United Torah Jewish election campaign video that looks like irregular Jewish conversions to dogs
(Photo: Screenshot)
The video opens with a fragment from an old news story covering the “Bark Mitzvah” phenomenon, in which members of more liberal Jewish names hold bar mitzvah rituals for their pets, dogs usually.
The video continues with a series of images featuring dogs with Jewish skull wings on their heads, some wrapped in a prayer shawl and tefillin, holding holy books, wearing a Star of David pendant or boasting curved sidelocks.
As the images are marched on screen, a reporter tells the audience, “in the Supreme Court of Justice, this is Jewish” and jokes about one dog, “His grandmother was a rabbi, in fact, he’s Jewish!”
The video concludes with the message that only a UTJ party will “protect your Judaism, that of your children, and your grandchildren”, followed by the campaign slogan: “First the arguments. “
UTJ called in response to end the “Bark Mitzvah” phenomenon.
“Facebook also understands that the ugly phenomenon of bar mitzvah celebrations for dogs is damaging to community life and needs to end,” a statement read read.
The Haredi party also noted that the video can still be seen on the Twitter feed of the Yesh Atid party, which directed MK Yair Lapid to oppose UTJ for opposing Semitism.