To be clear, there's nothing democratic or liberal about stripping someone of citizenship for voicing a rather anodyne political opinion. In my mind, there's something "anti-American" about marching in the streets with swatstikas or Confederate flags - it's nearly treasonous - but I would never support stripping neo-Nazis of citizenship, regardless of how abhorrent their views are.
If Israel desires to be seen as a cradle of liberal democracy in the Middle East, perhaps it should take seriously the idea that the freedom of expression encompasses support for BDS, explicitly anti-IDF statements and rhetoric, desire for a unified Palestine. I might understand censorship but stripping someone of citizenship or even voicing support for this crosses a red line.
Of course, this is cheap political rhetoric from a besieged government but, if this rhetoric is acceptable, that's not a great sign.
Yes, one would think that it would take more than a few political statements to strip someone of citizenship. And if that's the bare minimum needed to strip away citizenship, there'd be a plethora of newly stateless people around the world.
Obviously, this sort of rhetoric isn't unexpected; It's more or less the norm now.
If a Jew choses to side with the anti-Jewish opposition during an armed clash with our Jewish state's forces, that means more than just opposing the government or the Prime Minister of whatever. I couldn't care less about Bibi either.
Thankfully, you don't have the power to determine what makes dissent treasonous.
