Meta’s oversight board ruled Wednesday that the single use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” a slogan frequently used by pro-Palestinian users, did not violate the company’s content policies.
The phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” has been used as a slogan by many since the war in Gaza broke out, and Israel has accused those who use it of being “anti-Semites”.
The independent Meta Board is the highest authority in Meta’s content moderation decisions. It reviewed three cases involving Facebook posts containing the controversial phrase, which has gained prominence due to the conflict and protests against it around the world.
The board found that the content did not violate Meta’s rules on hate speech, violence and incitement, or dangerous organizations and individuals, and that the post should not be removed from its platform.
“In upholding Meta’s decision to retain the content, the board majority noted that the phrase has multiple meanings and is used by people in a variety of ways and with a variety of intentions,” it added.
“Notably, all three materials contain relevant indications of solidarity with the Palestinians — but no language calling for violence or boycotts,” it added.
The phrase “from the river to the sea” refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which includes Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
It is often used as a call for self-determination and equal rights in support of Palestinians, or to advocate a one-state solution to the conflict, with Jews and Palestinians being citizens of the same nation.
However, many Israelis and Jews interpret the phrase as a call for the violent elimination of Israel as a Jewish state.
The board said some board members believed that, given the Oct. 7 attacks by armed group Hamas that sparked the war, the use of the phrase in a post should be construed as glorifying the group and violence “unless there are clear indications to the contrary.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
