One of the few things that bugs me about Web 2.0 is the curtain of anonymity that it affords critics, cynics and just plain mean-spirited folk who populate blogs and news sites. Hiding behind user-generated nicknames that effectively conceal their identity, these people spread hatred, racism and bald-faced lies – and they do so without fear of being reprimanded.

Even a website as benign as YouTube often becomes a base for hateful bigots, who use the comment sections of individual videos to spout off.

It need not be like this. Politicians, newsmakers, pop stars, journalists – they all put their names on the line each time they offer an opinion or state an item as fact. That element of risk is important. It acts as a built-in verification system. When your name and career are on the line, you are less likely to say or write something that is wrong or could get you in trouble. Internet misfits, seemingly, are not weighed down by such worries.

Back in late September – Yom Kippur, to be exact – a pamphlet was distributed at many Toronto synagogues. Its bold headline, “Strengthening our bond with Israel,” bore a striking resemblance to the flyers sent to synagogues by Israel Bonds, usually at the same time of the year.

But this was no Israel Bonds advert.

Quite the opposite. “Israel Bonds have always symbolized the aspirations of the Jewish people,” the pamphlet began, “Sadly, this is no longer the case.” Why? Because the Israeli government has “betrayed” the Jewish people and “is not interested in the future of the people of Israel and the Jewish people as a whole.”

The pamphlet said the Israeli government uses Israel Bonds money to “support the creation of… Arab town[s] in Galilee,” as well as to “supply free medical services, electricity, water and fuel to our sworn enemies” and to “support judiciary and penal systems which release murderers of Jewish children – while it incarcerates Jews for defending their homes, their orchards, their lives.”

The flip-side of the pamphlet contains some of the most hateful words I’ve ever read. Arabs are described as “the most savage and degenerate sub-humans on this planet” and “wild beasts that walk on two feet and speak Arabic.” More frighteningly, left-of-centre Jews and Israelis are accused of “dream[ing] about erasing any trace of Jews and Judaism from the holy city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

All of this was signed anonymously: “Published by your neighbours and friends who are deeply concerned for the survival of Israel and Jerusalem.” There was no e-mail address or phone number – in other words, no way to respond.

I suspect that some of you reading this know who was responsible for spreading this vile brochure, but that doesn’t change my point. The people behind this vicious, hateful – and, in my opinion, stupid – diatribe did not wish to be identified. They were too cowardly to back up their words with an identity, let alone offer others a forum to debate the (few) merits of their ideological position.

With this regular column, I have a space to mouth off about things that I deem to be important (or funny, or interesting). And, like other writers and thinkers, I recognize the responsibility and liability that is embedded in every word that I write and in every opinion I offer. If ever there is a natural enemy for people like myself, it’s the sort who published what I have just finished describing.

They are, quite simply, cheaters.

Stand up and tell us who you are, “neighbours and friends who are deeply concerned for the survival of Israel and Jerusalem.” I assure you that we, too, are concerned. And we would like to talk.

In the meantime, your continued silence only emphasizes your cowardice.