Can we have a separate topic for all the Israel/Palestine threads?

[AngeloMysterioso]

I understand that it’s obviously a very big deal at the moment and of course people want to discuss it, but I’m not sure how good for some people’s mental health it’s going to be if we’re confronted by dozens of threads talking about war, violence and suffering.

Happens every time there is a big news event. Hence the hundreds of COVID and Ukraine threads etc.

I question whether many of those threads are being started in good faith. They seem to be actively courting simplistic and polarising POVs. There’s one in AIBU at the moment where the OP has attacked posters who have questioned their two polarising and unnuanced AIBU options and told them to fuck off and write a book if they want nuance.

I agree OP.

MNHQ have done the same whenever there are tonnes of threads about any particular subject, and I think they should do the same with this one.

I'm with you @AnxiousPangolin I don't see the point of having lots of sections yet MNHQ allowing people to post in AIBU "for traffic". My pet peeve here is people starting non-AIBU threads in AIBU, and just as big a peeve that MNHQ refuse to move them when reported. What's the fucking point of having numerous sections then, just have a massive AIBU for everything! 🙄

What is needed is a War topic unfortunately.

It would be clear what it is for. If people don't read or watch the news because they don't want to, they won't be wanting to see it here either.

It is a very upsetting topic but people come here to get away from it in many cases, but it is continually being discussed, new threads, same posts.

What is needed is not another topic which MNHQ refuse to move threads into, it’s for existing topics to be used.

I agree that these threads need a home.

However, please don't call it something like 'middle east conflict' or Israel/palestine, this would be so defeatist and hopeless and only invite trolls, propaganda, hurt and offence.

I'd say all israel, palestine, Ukraine war or terror related threads should preferably go into the News section as most threads are related to breaking news.

Alternatively, there could be a forum called:
Humanitarian Issues
Regional Politics
International Affairs
International Relations
World Peace

But absolutely, please find a suitable and respectful category for the sheer lunatic number of threads about conflict, terror etc. News would probably work fine.
There should also be strict talk guidelines for such topics to stop inflammatory propaganda posts. This place has been mental this last week.

I question whether many of those threads are being started in good faith. They seem to be actively courting simplistic and polarising POVs. There’s one in AIBU at the moment where the OP has attacked posters who have questioned their two polarising and unnuanced AIBU options and told them to fuck off and write a book if they want nuance.

^💯

Anti Israel comments I can understand during this heightened time but the antisemitic comments on some of these threads is absolutely horrific. A Mumsnet user since the start I cannot get my head around what I have been reading. Not only does this topic need its own part of the site, some of these posters hiding behind their anonymity are on threads that need proper moderation from HQ.

^And this! These threads need round the clock monitoring from impartial moderators. We all have our opinions, moderators will too. Maybe deletions should be peer reviewed to make sure moderators don't let their own politics influence whether a post is deleted? Mumsnet need training on fake news, laws around promoting terror, unconscious bias towards all minorities.

I'd also say that posters who attack other posters by describing them as disgusting, no humanity etc who have had their posts deleted should be banned. Because the dehumanise other posters, which is so destructive, aggressive and unacceptable.

This place has become hysterical and civilised discussion is impossible. It's all shriek, shriek shriek. Completely unreasonable.

I'd say considering the desperate situation for Palestinians and Israelis as well as Jews worldwide, the potential for terror and retaliation, any israel/palestine posts or active terror posts should NOT be allowed in AIBU.

I completely agree with this.

I’ve just noticed there seems to be a new board: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4923418-new-topic-for-discussion-of-the-middle-east-conflict-and-a-word-on-our-moderation