Pro-Palestinian phrase gets to stay on Facebook, Meta oversight board says

The Meta Platforms' Oversight Board on Wednesday ruled the controversial pro-Palestinian phrase "From the river to the sea" should not be automatically removed by Facebook content moderators, causing a stir among advocates on both sides.

The phrase, often chanted at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, is seen by some as displaying solidarity with Palestinians and seen by others as an endorsement of violence against Jews.

The board, which operates independently but is funded by the US social media firm, says "From the river to the sea" has several meanings, and as such its use cannot in itself be deemed to be harmful, violent or discriminatory.

Geographically, the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea lie on either side of Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The Oversight Board said it came to the conclusion after it had reviewed three cases involving content posted on Facebook by different users containing the phrase.

“It’s our decision that the content did not break Meta’s rules on Hate Speech, Violence, and Incitement or Dangerous Organizations and Individuals,” the Board stated on Wednesday.

The Board took on three new cases involving content containing the phrase “From the River to the Sea.” Today we’re publishing our decision that the content did not break Meta’s rules on Hate Speech, Violence and Incitement or Dangerous Organizations and Individuals.

undefined Oversight Board (@OversightBoard) September 4, 2024

"Context is crucial," said Oversight Board co-chair Pamela San Martin. "Simply removing political speech is not a solution. There needs to be room for debate, especially during times of crisis and conflict."

Both sides vocal about decision

Reaction on social media was mixed, with many Jewish groups expressing major dissatisfaction with the decision.

Critics of the phrase say it is antisemitic and a call for Israel's eradication.

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) posted on X it was “disappointed that the @Meta Oversight Board failed to recognize that "From the River to the Sea", which is part of the Hamas Terrorist Organization's Charter, is inherently genocidal and antisemitic and should constitute hate speech.”

WJC is disappointed that the @Meta Oversight Board failed to recognize that undefinedFrom the River to the Seaundefined, which is part of the Hamas Terrorist Organization's Charter, is inherently genocidal and antisemitic and should constitute hate speech.

Read our prior public comment to the…

undefined World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) September 4, 2024

The WJC, formed in 1936, is one of the leading international organizations connecting and protecting Jewish communities globally in more than 100 countries.

“This further connects the phrase to use of terrorism and violence, supporting and glorifying terrorist acts and an organization that the United States and many other states around the world have declared a terrorist organization,” the WJC had said in a five-page public statement previously released on the matter, adding that it has become popular amongst users following the Hamas brutal attack of October 7th, 2023 on Israel.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, also agreed that the decision was "short-sighted."

"Usage of this phrase has the effect of making members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracized," it said.

Other pundits and advocacy groups dispute that interpretation, agreeing with the board that the phrase does not automatically constitute hate speech.

Alex Abdo, litigation director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University promoting free speech, and formerly with the ACLU, called the Board’s decision "thoughtful (and in my opinion, correct)."

This is a thoughtful (and, in my opinion, correct) decision from Meta's Oversight Board about social media posts that use the phrase undefinedfrom the river to the sea.undefinedhttps://t.co/G1HmWsrlVp

undefined Alex Abdo (@AlexanderAbdo) September 4, 2024

Political author, podcast host, and Jacobin staff writer Branko Marcetic posted on X, "The correct move, but kind of ridiculous that whether or not a slogan central to a multi-ethnic, international movement for a people's liberation is suppressed depends on some random, unaccountable bureaucrats."

Meta weighs in

Meta released its own statement saying it “welcomes the board's review of our guidance on this matter.”

"While all of our policies are developed with safety in mind, we know they come with global challenges and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board," it said.

The Board stated all three pieces of content reviewed under the guidelines contained contextual signs of solidarity with Palestinians – but no language calling for violence or exclusion.

“They also do not glorify or even refer to Hamas, an organization designated as dangerous by Meta,” the Board said in its explanation.

A minority portion of the board dissented, arguing that after the October 7th attacks, “its use in a post should be presumed to constitute glorification of” Hamas “unless there are clear signals to the contrary,” NBC News reported on Wednesday.

Meta was also called on by the 21-member board to improve access to data for journalists and researchers, less than a month after Meta discontinued CrowdTangle, a tool widely used to check misinformation and conduct research on content on Meta's platforms, including Instagram.