Israeli Digital Warfare (Censorship)

Social Media Companies are not neutral in Israeli Censorship of Palestinian Content

June 15, 2023

by Nadim Nashif, 7amleh - Arab Center for Social Media Advancement

Restrictions on Palestinian Instagram Livestreaming

In the spring of 2021, Muna el-Kurd, a Palestinian activist from Jerusalem residing in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, launched the hashtag #save_sheikh_jarrah as part of a social media campaign to shed light on the imminent forced expulsion of her family and others in the neighborhood, as well as continuous attempts by settlers to conquer their homes.

At the height of engagement with their plight, Instagram resorted to restricting Muna el-Kurd's account, prohibiting her from livestreaming. This restriction was not just imposed on el-Kurd, Palestinian journalists, activists, and influencers were also barred from publishing posts and stories, and they were also prohibited from using the livestreaming function. This came at a time when there was a peak in the frequency of publishing news from the field and transmitting the truth about the Israeli Occupation's assault on Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Gaza

Proposed Law Prohibits filming or documenting soldiers

.. the Israeli ministerial committee proposed a new law that would prohibit the filming or documentation of Israeli Occupation soldiers' crimes and would enforce severe penalties for violators. The proposed law stated that “whoever films, takes pictures, or records soldiers performing their duties with the aim of undermining the morale of soldiers will be sentenced to five years in prison.

.. In addition, the proposed law included “a suggestion to prevent the publication of the contents of filming or recording on social networks or in the media,” which is justified as providing “optimal conditions” for soldiers to perform their duties without fear of any activist or organization publishing their images. This is a clear attempt to “silence criticism directed at the Occupation” and to primarily prevent human rights organizations from documenting army operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israelis face no restrictions: “Gaza must be exterminate”

.. In complete contrast to the policies adopted by [social media] companies to remove Palestinian content and violate Palestinian freedom of expression, Israelis enjoy absolute freedom to post whatever they want on social media platforms pertaining to [events in Palestine], including posts that contain clear and explicit calls for killing Palestinians. Digital companies, specifically “Meta” platforms, do not treat Israeli content in the same manner they do Palestinian content. They do not remove racist and inciting phrases against Palestinians, nor do they address them. Such phrases include “death to Palestine,” “people in Gaza must be exterminated with pesticides,” “every Muslim is a dead terrorist ..

So, it is clear that major technology companies treat Palestinian and Israeli content differently and, therefore, cannot be considered neutral platforms.

Highlighted Source: https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1653973

Nadim Nashif

Al-Shabaka Policy Member Nadim Nashif is the executive director and co-founder of 7amleh: The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media. Nadim is a committed Digital Rights Defender and long time community organizer, who has worked on youth and community development issues for over 20 years. Nadim founded and previously served as director of Baladna, The Association for Arab Youth. He founded and coordinated the youth wing of the Balad political party before becoming Director at the Committee for Educational Guidance for Arab students. He is also the co-founder of Wusol Digital Academy, a digital marketing educational cente

Israel: Government to shut down critical media alleged to ‘undermine national security’

Oct 20, 2023

The Israeli government has approved on 20 October a new regulation that will allow for the temporary shut down of news channels which ‘damage national security’. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges Israel to review its decision in the name of media pluralism and the public’s right to know.

The proposed regulations, approved on 20 October,  aim to prohibit news organisations from ‘undermining national security, public order or serving as a basis for enemy propaganda’. While the regulation appears to be aimed at the operation of Qatari channel Al Jazeera, the IFJ fears they could also be used to shut down other media operating in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. 

According to the Times of Israel “the communications minister — with the agreement of the defence minister — will be able to order TV providers to stop broadcasting the news outlet in question; close its offices in Israel, seize its equipment, and shut down its website or restrict access to its website, depending on the location of its server.”

Media organisations and journalists have struggled to cover the Israel-Gaza war from its start on 7 October when the Hamas launched an unprecedented attack in southern Israel. In response, Israel retaliated with airstrikes over the besieged Gaza Strip and formally declared war at Hamas. Foreign and local media are faced with numerous restrictions including safety threats, electricity and internet shutdowns and emotional fears .

Highlighted Source: International Federation of Journalists

One journalists’s take on media access and censorship in Israel-Hamas

Oct 18, 2023, Listen to Audio clip

Israel isn’t allowing western journalists into Gaza, preventing the public from hearing the stories of Gazans and empathizing. Western media goes with unsubstantiated Israeli reports and the retractions are inadequate.

The Israeli government has just approved new emergency regulations that could greenlight censorship of the news network Al Jazeera.

The move comes as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to climb and information from on the ground is limited. Al Jazeera is one of few international media companies with a physical presence in both the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Reset checks in with a longtime Al Jazeera journalist for her take.

Highlighted Source: WBED Chicago