IDF Condemned For Shells With ‘Learn To Code’ Inside

“‘Learn to code’ can only serve to destroy Palestinian self-esteem, similar to the anticipated effect it will have on ex-Buzzfeed personnel.”

Tel Aviv, January 31 – Human rights organizations slammed Israel’s military this week upon learning that the IDF has printed on tens of thousands of small pieces of paper a phrase that Twitter has banned for its offensive capacity, and loaded the papers into bombs, artillery shells, and other projectiles for use against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other enemies.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B’tselem, and several other groups leveled the criticism today, following revelations that the epithet “learn to code” now features in the weapons that the IDF will bring to bear in any conflict. spokespersons for the organizations called the move “immoral” and a “flagrant violation of norms.”

Twitter announced earlier this week it will suspend or deactivate accounts using the phrase, which rose to prominence amid news that media companies such as Buzzfeed will lay off numerous employees, a development that prompted some users to suggest the now-jobless pursue careers in computer programming, a field with greater stability and income prospects than journalism. The tech giant judged the phrase too powerful and destructive to tolerate, an assessment that the rights groups share.

“It’s pretty clear Israel has no qualms about acting inhumanely toward Palestinians and others,” stated Omar Shakir, a Human Rights Watch representative. “The only way we’ve determined that can restrain them from committing atrocities is to call public attention to their outrageous behavior. “‘Learn to code’ can only serve to destroy Palestinian self-esteem, similar to the anticipated effect it will have on ex-Buzzfeed personnel, and the world cannot stand by while Israel again inflicts such disproportionate abuse on Palestinians.”

Amnesty International spokeswoman Minal Nahr ‘Iilaa-Albahr told reporters this may represent the first time the groups have acted in advance of Israeli use of problematic tactics against Palestinians instead of reacting afterwards. “We’re taking a proactive stance on this, and that’s a welcome change,” she remarked. “I’d like to see this be our new mode from now on, not simply responding with denunciation to anything Israel does, but an M.O. that anticipates what Israel will or might do, and forestall those measures so they cannot conduct regular operations without having to answer for existing.”

“That’s basically what we’ve always tried to do, but we hope it works better this time,” she added.

The organizations intend to follow up on the warning with petitions to various international governing bodies to include the use of the phrase in definitions of the Laws of Armed Conflict and other relevant resources, with the proviso that exacting enforcement must apply only to the Jewish State.

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