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Meta Platforms’ Oversight Board announced on Wednesday that the Facebook parent should not automatically remove the phrase “From the river to the sea,” which is perceived by some as showing solidarity with Palestinians and by others as endorsing violence against Jews.
The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta Platforms, emphasised that the phrase has multiple interpretations and its use cannot inherently be deemed harmful, violent, or discriminatory.
The phrase refers to the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, between which lie Israel and Palestinian territories.
It is frequently chanted at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While critics argue that it is antisemitic and calls for Israel’s eradication, other groups challenge this interpretation.
“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.”
The decision was reached after the board reviewed three cases involving content posted on Facebook by different users containing the phrase.
“We welcome the board’s review of our guidance on this matter,” Meta said in a statement. “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.”
Alex Abdo, litigation director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University which promotes free speech, praised the board’s decision. “Thoughtful (and in my opinion, correct),” he said.
Conversely, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, criticised the decision. “Usage of this phrase has the effect of making members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracised,” it stated.
In addition to its stance on the phrase, the board urged Meta to improve access to data for journalists and researchers.
This comes less than a month after Meta discontinued CrowdTangle, a tool widely used to monitor misinformation and conduct content research on Meta’s platforms, including Instagram.
The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta Platforms, emphasised that the phrase has multiple interpretations and its use cannot inherently be deemed harmful, violent, or discriminatory.
The phrase refers to the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, between which lie Israel and Palestinian territories.
It is frequently chanted at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While critics argue that it is antisemitic and calls for Israel’s eradication, other groups challenge this interpretation.
“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.”
The decision was reached after the board reviewed three cases involving content posted on Facebook by different users containing the phrase.
“We welcome the board’s review of our guidance on this matter,” Meta said in a statement. “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.”
Alex Abdo, litigation director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University which promotes free speech, praised the board’s decision. “Thoughtful (and in my opinion, correct),” he said.
Conversely, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, criticised the decision. “Usage of this phrase has the effect of making members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracised,” it stated.
In addition to its stance on the phrase, the board urged Meta to improve access to data for journalists and researchers.
This comes less than a month after Meta discontinued CrowdTangle, a tool widely used to monitor misinformation and conduct content research on Meta’s platforms, including Instagram.
