Meta's oversight board ruled on Wednesday that the pro-Palestinian phrase "from the river to the sea" does not violate the company's rules on hate speech. The decision follows user criticism that Meta has censored pro-Palestinian content while allowing antisemitic speech to proliferate.
The board reviewed three Facebook posts using the phrase. It concluded that they showed solidarity with Palestinians but did not promote violence or exclusion. The board emphasized that these posts did not glorify or reference Hamas, an organization deemed dangerous by Meta. Pro-Palestinian activists often use the phrase to advocate for peace, while some pro-Israel groups consider it offensive.
The board's ruling clarifies that while the phrase alone does not violate hate speech rules, it could be removed if used in a hateful context. Meta’s oversight board, funded by the company, is responsible for binding decisions on content moderation, particularly in complex cases like this.