Social media must stop Jew hatred
By Ellen Portnoy
I am frustrated with Meta’s policies concerning Jew hatred. We are a minority of 16 million, truly without much of a voice on social media when you consider the world’s total population.
So, I was extremely aggravated when I read that Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote a letter to Meta saying that the rights of Palestinians to voice their concerns have been suppressed:
“Reports of Meta’s suppression of Palestinian voices raise serious questions about Meta’s content moderation practices and anti-discrimination protections,” Sen. Warren wrote. “Social media users deserve to know when and why their accounts and posts are restricted, particularly on the largest platforms where vital information-sharing occurs. Users also deserve protection against discrimination based on their national origin, religion, and other protected characteristics.” (warren.senate.gov)
Personally, I do not want anyone’s rights to be abused. But what disgusts me about her letter is that it was totally one-sided. Nowhere in her letter does she mention the horrible Jew hatred attacks on social media. Nowhere does she acknowledge that many of these attacks are in Arabic or come from Palestinian areas.
I agree that users of social media must be protected. But that means all users, including the Jewish users. Warren had the opportunity to demand that social media must be better for both groups. Instead she chose to focus only on one side and totally ignore the hate that Jewish users are facing — definitely advocating a double standard on protection.
It is as if she said, “Let us not mention what is happening to Israelis and Jews on social media. Strange, because it is why Meta changed their algorithms, to help filter out some of the increased Jew hatred.”
Since Oct. 7, I have been overwhelmed at times by the amount of pure hatred, threats and lies on social media. As a volunteer for CyberWell, I have reported many comments and cartoons on Meta social media platforms. My reporting seems to go nowhere. Now Senator Warren wants Meta to ease up.
I am not talking about little issues. I am talking about veiled violence, such as “Imagine a world without Zionism;” a reference to Oct. 7 as “The Best Day Ever;” false information saying the Israel Defense Forces attacked the Re'im music festival; “Hamas was created and funding by Israel;” and “Hitler was right.” These are the nicer ones that I reported.
No group deserved to be annihilated. "Free Palestine from the River to the Sea" is a call for the destruction of all Jews in Israel. Statements like "All J3w$ should die" is not a joke — using letters, numbers and dollar signs should be recognized. Lies from Hamas, Hezbollah and bots under the control of these terrorist groups should be kicked off Meta platforms.
Inaction is hurting people. College students are being terrorized on campus. Terrorist and hate groups are using social media to emotionally and psychologically hurt people.
Why didn’t Sen. Warren mention these issues? Why didn’t she write that she understands that much of the hatred on social media is originating from the Middle East; that terrorist groups have people purposely putting up hate; that the rights of people who are being attacked also have to be protected?
Meta can tell when a song that is under copyright is used and delete it. So why can’t it recognize when lies and hate speech are posted? Meta must do better, be part of the solution and stop any hatred from spreading.
At the same time, Meta has to respect the rights of people who have the right to express their opinion. I believe those who make constructive criticism without calling for the annihilation of Jews and Israel should be allowed. I also do not always agree with the Israeli government.
I wish Sen. Warren had been more even handed. Read the letter — she never mentions that Israel has been attacked both physically and psychologically on social media. Even when she writes about the restriction on live streaming, she doesn’t mention the horrendous live streaming during the attack on Oct. 7 by the Hamas: warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Meta%20Letter.pdf .
I have to say that she seems to advocate a double standard. Her letter is evidence of what the Jewish community in the United States is facing.
Ellen Portnoy has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She is an active community volunteer who has traveled to Israel many times.