Case Description
Due to a technical glitch, our public comments portal for cases related to the "From the River to the Sea" phrase closed earlier than planned. To ensure everyone has a chance to share their input, we've reopened it for 24 hours. The portal will now close at 12pm BST on May 23rd.
These three cases concern content decisions made by Meta, all on Facebook, which the Oversight Board intends to address together.
The three posts were shared by different users in November 2023, following the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7 and the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Each post contains the phrase “From the river to the sea.” All three were reported by users for violating Meta’s Community Standards. The company decided to leave all three posts on Facebook. For each case, the Board will decide whether the content should be removed under Meta’s policies and according to its human rights responsibilities. Numbers of views and reports are correct as of the end of February 2024.
The first case concerns a comment from a Facebook user on another user’s video. The video has a caption encouraging others to “speak up” with numerous hashtags including “#ceasefire” and “#freepalestine.” The comment on the post contains the phrase “FromTheRiverToTheSea” in hashtag form, as well as several additional hashtags including “#DefundIsrael.” The comment had about 3,000 views and was reported seven times by four users. The reports were closed after Meta’s automated systems did not send them for human review within 48 hours.
In the second case, a Facebook user posted what appears to be a generated image of fruit floating on the sea that form the words from the phrase, along with “Palestine will be free.” The post had about 8 million views and was reported 951 times by 937 users. The first report on the post was closed, again because Meta’s automated systems did not send it for human review within 48 hours. Subsequent reports by users were reviewed and assessed as non-violating by human moderators.
In the third case, a Facebook page reshared a post from the page of a community organization in Canada in which a statement from the “founding members” of the organization declared support for “the Palestinian people,” condemning their “senseless slaughter” by the “Zionist State of Israel” and “Zionist Israeli occupiers.” The post ends with the phrase “From The River To The Sea.” This post had less than 1,000 views and was reported by one user. The report was automatically closed.
The Facebook users who reported the content, and subsequently appealed Meta’s decisions to leave up the content to the Board, claimed the phrase was breaking Meta’s rules on Hate Speech, Violence and Incitement or Dangerous Organizations and Individuals. The user who reported the content in the first case stated that the phrase violates Meta’s policies prohibiting content that promotes violence or supports terrorism. The users who reported the content in the second and third cases stated that the phrase constitutes hate speech, is antisemitic and is a call to abolish the state of Israel.
After the Board selected these cases for review, Meta confirmed its original decisions were correct. Meta informed the Board that it analyzed the content under three policies – Violence and Incitement, Hate Speech and Dangerous Organizations and Individuals – and found the posts did not violate any of these policies. Meta explained the company is aware that “From the river to the sea” has a long history and that it had reviewed use of the phrase on its platform after October 7, 2023. After that review, Meta determined that, without additional context, it cannot conclude that “From the river to the sea” constitutes a call to violence or a call for exclusion of any particular group, nor that it is linked exclusively to support for Hamas.
The Board selected these cases to consider how Meta should moderate the use of the phrase given the resurgence in its use after October 7, 2023, and controversies around the phrase’s meaning. On the one hand, the phrase has been used to advocate for the dignity and human rights of Palestinians. On the other hand, it could have antisemitic implications, as claimed by the users who submitted the cases to the Board. This case falls within the Board’s strategic priority of Crisis and Conflict Situations.
The Board would appreciate public comments that address:
- The origin and current uses of the phrase: “From the river to the sea.”
- Research into online trends in content using the phrase.
- Research into any associated online and offline harms from the use of the phrase.
- Meta’s human rights responsibilities in relation to content using the phrase including freedom of expression, freedom of association, and equality and non-discrimination.
- State and institutional (e.g., university) responses to the use of the phrase (e.g., during protests) and the human rights impacts of those responses.
As part of its decisions, the Board can issue policy recommendations to Meta. While recommendations are not binding, Meta must respond to them within 60 days. As such, the Board welcomes public comments proposing recommendations that are relevant to these cases.
Comments
This phrase has been used by jihadist terrorists for years most likely started by Arafat after he rejected peace with Israel.
It means to take over and eliminate Israel from existence. Simply like saying we want Italy to no longer exist and it is not a legitimate country . Israel has been in existence since 1948. It had 9 million people - 21% Arab.
It is a rascist jihadist call for death
Simple - not complicated - and continuing to let it be allowed on Facebook is a disgrace and will continue the hate and vilification.
Mark Zuckerberg is not helping the cause of peace. You cannot complain about this or other anti Israel anti Jew comment as it is NEVER against your community guidelines.
Wake up Facebook / you are complicit if you keep this up. Jews are being attacked for merely breathing.
How would you like that to happen to you. That your country the USA the one you love, be treated the same?
Tahr some control and start enforcing guidelines against this phrase and others like occupation apartheid and free Palestine.,
Peace will never be in the sight of the world if hate is continued
6 million Jews died from hate - gays included. Be brave be strong and show leadership
The upcoming decisions of Meta’s Oversight Board carry immense significance, not only for the millions of supporters of Israel but also for the broader fight against antisemitism and hate speech.
It is imperative that Meta’s Oversight Board takes a firm stance against the propagation of harmful rhetoric that seeks to delegitimize and demonize Israel.
“From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” is an open call for the complete annihilation of the State of Israel and its citizens.
This is 100% genocidal hate speech that advocates for the destruction of the one and only Jewish state and the mass murder of its Jewish population.
Therefore, I request that this phrase be blocked and not allowed to be posted on Facebook or other social media sites
Please prohibit the use of the phrase "from the river to the sea"
This phrase is:
1. Originated in a terrorist organization (Hamas) charter.
2. While the Palestinians has the right for a state. It should be alongside the state of Israel, and not replacing it.
3. This phrase is calling for the creation of a new Palestinian state in place of the existing state of Israel, that means the genocide of all Israelis (of all denominations).
4. This phrase is calling for the destruction of Israel, as an Anti-Zionist call that rejects the right of Jews for self-determibation and security.
5. It is Antisemitic and a recist call for violence.
6. It is prohibitive to a peace agreement in the region.
Please prohibit the use of the phrase "from the river to the sea"
1. Originated in a terrorist organization (Hamas) charter.
2. Palestine was a name the Roman gave to the region that included 'Israel', but no Palestinian State.
3. This phrase is calling for the creation of a new Palestinian state in place of the existing state of Israel, that means the genocide of all Israelis (of all denominations).
4. This phrase is calling for the destruction of Israel.
5. It is Antisemitic and a recist call for violence.
6. It is prohibitive to a peace agreement in the region.
From the river to the sea refers to the annihilation of the Israeli state and the Jews in it. It is a violent call for genocide that stirs antisemitism up. That should not be allowed in any forum whatsoever.
From the river to the sea means the location of the state of Israel, between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean Sea. Palestine free from the river to the sea means that there will be no more state of Israel. This post calls for the elimination of a country. Therefore I think it should be banned just like any other post calling for genocide
1. Originated in a terrorist organization (Hamas) charter.
2. Palestine was a name the Roman gave to the region that included 'Eretz Israel', but no Palestinian State.
3. This phrase is calling for the creation of a new Palestinian state in place of the existing state of Israel, that means the genocide of all Israelis (of all denominations).
4. This phrase is calling for the destruction of Israel, as an Anti-Zionist call that rejects the right of Jews for self-determibation and security.
5. It is Antisemitic and a recist call for violence.
6. It is prohibitive to a peace agreement in the region.
Dear Board,
From the "river to the sea" is not a call for a two states who live in peace next to each other. It is a call to ethnically cleanse the Jews from that land to form just one state.
Saying that is not the meaning is just like saying the "n-word" is just the color of the person or where he came from.
From the river to the sea expression means to delete Israel state. This expression is pure antisemitic which spread wrong and forbidden message for all the people over the world. Unfortunately most of the people use this term without knowing knowing the truth, fact history or minor understanding of what this sentence mean. The meaning of it is to eliminate the only, one Jewish state. It's wrong , unmoral and encouraging violence against Jewish people.
My perception of "From the river to the sea" has come to mean the genocide of all Jews in Israel and elsewhere. This is similar to the aims and objectives of Hitler and the Nazis and is highly offensive.
This is a clear chant for the destruction of Israel and the Israeli people and should not be tolerated by any platform.
“From the river to the sea Palestine will be free” is an antisemitic pronouncement that a whole nation of a particular people group should be eliminated, in fact wiped from the face of the earth and is therefore hate speech. This is therefore illegal in most civilised countries and must be stopped on your platform. Please have it, and anything like both blocked and removed.
You don’t hear anyone saying, “From the river to the sea Israel will be free” because anyone can live in Israel as in other civilised countries.
The phrase is a clear and direct call for the elimination of the state of Israel. Claims that it has 'cultural' or 'contextual' meaning are false and intended to allow it to keep spreading and inciting hate. This phrase is used ot pull young people into the circle of hate and is contributing to an increase in antisemitism and division. More than anything, it's making Jews feel threatened wherever they go. I hope you would not tolerate calls for destruction of other countries or calls that directly threaten other groups and I expect you don't tolerate this either.
This phrase is a call for ethnic cleansing. Hamas very openly calls to accomplish this goal of removing every last Jew from the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea by murder, rather than expulsion, so in the current context, following the 10/7 Hamas massacre of peaceful civilians, it is also very clear that is is a call for ethnic cleansing by means of a genocide.
That saying IS a call for GENOCIDE towards Jews. It's common knowledge. And the fact that Facebook(META)allows it & other very clearly antisemitic things to stay on its platforms is pathetic. I've seen so many people says things like "Hitler was right" & put up disgusting memes & y'all say that it doesn't go against community standards. Fix your algorithm & or employ people that can think for themselves. I'm tired of not feeling safe.
To me, from the river to the sea m, has always meant ending the Zionist project of occupation and apartheid
It never meant the expulsion of Jews or violence towards Jews but rather the dismantling of the Zionist regime and its policies of segregation.
There are many who have proposed a 1 state solution where all citizens on the land were granted equal rights in a democracy.
Some point out the challenge of demographics since Jews would become a minority in a democratic state with equal rights for all.
But I don’t believe it is a threat to Jewish safety as A - they would be quite a large minority (40% or more) with much of the wealth in the country (white Dutch South Africans are now less than 10% of the population with the majority of the wealth. Their conditions is safe in South Africa).
And B - while many would vote for their own ethnicity or religion, others would vote for candidates and parties based on their ideas. For example, a secular Palestinian would vote for a Jewish party or candidate over a Muslim or Palestinian one due to where they are on the social and political spectrum.
Democracy is challenging for all people of the world but South Africa is a good example of what is possible for the people of palestine and Israel.
Moreover, from the river to the sea also means the right of return of Palestinians refugees to their homes in 1948.
This is a very challenging part of any peace deal between Palestinians and Israelis. The right of return would significantly change the demographics of the country and put Israelis in an awkward position where they must forfeit their current property because it belonged to someone else
Again, I think the changing demographics shouldn’t be threatening as democracy could work well
And I believe that some Palestinians may choose not to go home or at least not insist on their exact property from 1948 in exchange for reparations that the world could help provide.
The U.S. provides $4 billion a year to Israel
A global aid package could provide reparations as well as facilitate the transfer of the returning Palestinians refugees.
It wouldn’t be easy but there are creative ways to negotiate a just end to this tragic story if the U.S. and Israel can take it seriously
From the river to the sea has always been about the ideas above and never about violence or displacement
This phrase is a call to rape my sister and my nieces.
Its a call to behead the little ones in our family.
Its a call to execute my 70+ yo parents who sturggle to get to bomb shelters these days.
We've all seen what Hamas did on 7.10, aided by thousands of Palestinians.
This is a call to genocide
Comments calling for the destruction of any race, ethnicity or country are hate speech that incites violence. They are NOT protected speech under the 1 st Amendment imho. As such, chants such as “Infitada”, or “ from the river to the sea” should be deemed illegal. Respectfully, I feel they should be banned from social media websites.
The term “from the river to the sea” is hate speech in that it calls for destruction of an entire country Israel and the exteminatuon of all Jews that live there, the term should be banned from websites