this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2026
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Did you interpret the comment as aimed at the children, rather than the state of Israel?
Maybe the original commenter does consider a couple of 8 year olds to be evil, I can't speak on their behalf; but it seems far more likely they're referring to the genocidal state currently killing 8 year olds that they represent, rather than specific individuals playing chess.
Look at the other responses and tell me I'm wrong that that's how it's being interpreted. I donagree they are conflating the two. That has been Israels plan, conflate israels across with the identity of Jewishness, and then claim antisemitism when there is any criticism.
Unfortunately, that means people are now conflating the two. In this case, to call children in a chess tournament evil. That's where Israels actions serve to increase antisemitism. Globally.
Did you think they were referring to a Palestinian child from occupied territory? Of course not. The fact they are called israeli serves to suggest their religion and political views, before they even have a formed view.
Those are responses to your comment though. Your comment frames the narrative as 'this is about the children', and as such, the resulting discourse is based around that, my responses included, despite my differing interpretation of the original statement.
When I mention the state they represent, I mean it in the same way an athlete represents their nation. I don't believe said athlete is directly responsible for their countries actions, but I also agree with their expulsion from international events when they represent a state that is actively committing atrocities (like Russia with the Olympics for example). The alternative is sane washing the atrocities commited (IE: Israel participating in Eurovision).
I completely agree re athletes. Not children.
A child cannot differentiate. So the child cannot recognise anything but their opponent and what they have been taught. On both sides.
Which is why their comment only makes sense in terms of calling their opponent evil. And that's not what a child said. That was a, presumably, adult poster.
This is exactly the kind of commentary that leads to genocide. Calling Israeli children soldiers in waiting is no different to the IDF calling Palestinian children terrorists in waiting. It's all a way to other them and justify imhumane actions.