Meta’s Oversight Board rules that ‘from the river to the sea’ is not necessarily hate speech
NBCSep 18
Meta Oversight Board: 'From the River to the Sea' Not Hate Speech
Above: A protester holds a sign saying 'Palestine Will Be Free From The River to the Sea' in the Camp of Resistance on May 4, 2024 in Manchester, UK. Image copyright: Martin Pope/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A Meta-funded oversight body on Wednesday ruled that the phrase "from the river to the sea" — which supports Palestinian nationalism — is acceptable speech which doesn't violate the company's hate speech policies.
The panel reviewed three posts and noted that "the phrase has multiple meanings," adding that the said posts "contain contextual signs of solidarity with Palestinians — but no language calling for violence."
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
The phrase represents Palestinian aspirations for freedom and justice across their historical homeland. It's a call for liberation from oppression, not a threat to any group. Rather than being restricted, this slogan should be understood in its full context as an expression of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and peaceful coexistence in a land with deep meaning for multiple communities.
Pro-Israel narrative
Meta must restrict this phrase due to its ambiguous and potentially harmful connotations for Israel, which makes the slogan easily misinterpreted and allows critics to accuse well-meaning protesters of supporting antisemitism or genocide. Given the current situation in Gaza, using such a contentious slogan distracts from the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis. Instead, activists should opt for clearer, unambiguous language that explicitly opposes violence and supports human rights for all.