Meta considers flagging use of 'Zionist' amid global criticism of Israel
Facebook and Instagram parent company, Meta, is considering strict rules around the use of the word “Zionist,” in a move that would largely ban criticism of the Israeli regime during its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Washington Post said in a report on Thursday that the social media giant “is currently revisiting its hate speech policy, specifically in relation to the term ‘Zionist.”
“While the term ‘Zionist’ often refers to a person’s ideology, which is not a protected characteristic, it can also be used to refer to Jewish or Israeli people,” Meta spokeswoman Erin McPike said in a statement.
“Given the increase in polarized public discourse due to events in the Middle East, we believe it’s important to assess our guidance for reviewing posts that use the term ‘Zionist.’”
The move has raised concern among digital rights activists and pro-Palestinian groups, who say the approach would stifle legitimate political critiques of the Israeli government, its military and Zionism during the genocidal war on Gaza.
“Zionism is an ideology. It’s not a race,” said Nadim Nashif, co-founder of the pro-Palestinian digital rights group 7amleh, who was briefed by Meta on the policy review.
“As I told them, in my opinion, this is a slippery slope. From there, you can remove a lot of content that is criticizing Israel and Zionism that is part of legitimate political discussion.”
Dani Noble, an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace, one of the groups Meta has contacted to discuss the possible change, said they are “horrified to learn that Meta is considering expanding when they treat ‘Zionism.”
He said that such a policy shift “will result in shielding the Israeli government from accountability for its policies and actions that violate Palestinian human rights.”
Statements like, “Zionists are war criminals, just look at what’s happening in Gaza” could be censored under Meta new policy.
Back in November, the platform suspended the social media accounts of US presidential candidate Jill Stein over her remarks about Israel’s war on Gaza.
Stein had called “for an investigation of the Netanyahu regime’s war crimes as well as the role of Biden and US leaders in aiding and abetting them.”
“And above all, these crimes must stop now” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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