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
Despite attempts to reframe this phrase, “From the River to the Sea” means, and has always meant from its very first chant , the annihilation of the Jewish and non Jewish Israelis from Israel, the land that in fact we, the Jews are indigenous to, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It means, and has always meant, the end of Israel as a state, being replaced by a Palestinian state which in effect is calling for a genocide of Jews. It originated from a terrorist organisation in order to intimidate Jews and Israelis so in effect is hate speech. We, the Jews, have always known what this phrase means, they , Hamas, have always known what it means and they know we know what it means. This phrase should be banned from ALL social media channels for its anti semitic content
As an Israeli citizen being subjected to the genocidal “from the river to the sea” phrase on a daily basis is chilling.
We know what they mean, and what they want, and it is an end to Israel and the eradication of its Jewish population.
So long as this hateful phrase is permitted to be used Facebook is not a safe or welcoming space for Israelis or Jews.
The phrase means the complete annihilation of the Jewish people as per the Hamas Charter. This is absolute intimidation and many people either don’t know or won’t accept the true meaning.
There are many things about this statement that might seem innocuous, but implicitly call for violence in varying degrees against Jewish people. It implies "free of Jews", which as a Jewish person who lives in the area that it refers to is extremely offensive to me. Wherever I have seen that statement written, I have felt unsafe for myself and for my family. I have a right to live without being trolled or terrorized by people who are usurping the true meaning of this statement (and others) and are enabling calls to genocide of my people.
The phrase "From the river to the sea’" is pure Hate Speech. Congress voted 234-188 to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib for using it. It has instigated violence in U.S. university protests and rallies across the globe. The claim that "the phrase has been used to advocate for the dignity and human rights of Palestinians" is a mask to hide it's true intent. It should be banned immediately by any social media platform that claims it does not support posts which cause violence among human beings.
The meaning behind the phrase is the ethnic cleansing of the Israeli population, consisting of Israeli Arabs and indigeneous Israeli Jews.
Urgent Concern Regarding the Use of "From the River to the Sea"
Dear sir/madam
It has come to our attention that the phrase "From the River to the Sea" is being used in a manner that promotes violence and poses a serious threat to human rights. The implicit call for genocide, as suggested by this phrase, is deeply concerning and must be addressed immediately.
As you are aware, the borders of Israel extend from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The use of this phrase in the context of advocating violence against civilians is both alarming and unacceptable. Such rhetoric not only violates fundamental principles of human rights but also undermines the prospects for peace and stability in the region.
In light of these developments, we urge all individuals and organizations to unequivocally condemn the use of "From the River to the Sea" in any form that incites violence or promotes hatred. It is imperative that we uphold the principles of respect, dignity, and non-violence in our discourse and actions.
We stand firm in our commitment to a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East and call upon all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiation towards this end.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Osnat
A Humanity civilian
The phrase "from the river to the sea" is an abbreviated, English version of the original chant used by the Arab countries who attacked Israel, unprovoked, as soon as it gained independence. The original sentence (in Arabic) has two versions, both of them racist and calling for ethnic cleansing at best, and genocide at worst.
The first version was "From the river to the sea, the land will be Arab". This was understood to mean that ONLY Arabs would be allowed.
The second version was even more explicit, "From the river to the sea, the land will be free OF JEWS".
As this chant is repeated these days, both by terrorists as they slaughtered, raped, and tortured innocent civilians, and by Gaza civilians who celebrated those actions, and now by millions around the world who chant it in English as they celebrate those atrocities, or at least excuse them as "justified resistance", it means the same thing - they are calling for the complete and utter destruction of a sovereign nation, which can only be accomplished via genocide and ethnic cleansing.
It is, indeed, hate speech!
Even for those who don't understand the historical background, it is still racist hate speech!
It embodies the idea that Arabs are entitled to self-determination in over 20 countries, and should be granted their 23rd country, but that the Jewish people don't deserve the right to self-determination in even a single country!
This, even those who envision some utopian dream where AJews are permitted to continue living in Israel under the rule of a very hostile Arab majority are still saying that Jews don't deserve the same rights as other peoples.
If they were calling for the end of ALL ethno-states equally, that would not be racist (it would be a bad idea, but not racist). But they aren't calling for Saudi Arabia to stop being an Arab Muslim nation, or for Japan to stop defining itself as the nation state of the Japanese people, or for the destruction of any other nation - only the destruction of Israel. That's racist.
The phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is an unambiguous call for the genocide of Israelis living between the river (the Jordan) and the sea (the Mediterranean). The area between the river and the sea comprises the entirety of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. For that entire area to be a “free Palestine”, the state of Israel would have to cease to exist. Such a thing can only happen if the predominately Jewish Israelis (a) are forced to leave, or (b) are killed en masse. Either way, it’s an ethnic cleansing.
The phrase also fails to recognize that the Gaza Strip has been “free” since 2005. The Israeli government forced any Israelis living in Gaza to leave, and removed all troops from Gaza at that time. The Gazans elected their own government, and have ruled themselves ever since. The barriers around and blockade of Gaza by the Israeli government (and the Egyptian government) is the consequence of two decades of terrorist activity by Gazan terrorist organizations — countless rockets fired at civilian targets, suicide bombings, shootings, stabbings, and other assorted violence.
While it is understandable and legitimate for people to protest on behalf of Palestinian civilians, calling for the genocide of Israelis in response is not.
The expression "From the River to the Sea" can only mean 1 thing - the elimination of the State of Israel. That is what the words mean (from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea). If the Palestinians had a country from the River to the Sea, Israel would not exist. Israel is situated between the "river to the sea". That is a fact, based on the geography. To suggest it means anything else, is nonsense. It is comparable to saying "I want to kill Jews" and then claim that is not what I meant and invent another interpretation.
It may be a catchy slogan, but it is anti-semitic and directly refers to the elimination of Israel. How exactly would that happen without killing 7 million people in Israel??? Would "Kill all the Jews in Israel" be acceptable? It's the same thing.
This has historically and currently been used as a call for the eradication of the country of Israel and the Jewish people who live there. Its history is not hard to find.
Zionism is the movement for the self definition of the Jews people. If somebody think that all the people around the world have the right to self definition but the Jews people not hi or she is a antisemitist person. Between the Jordan river until the Mediterranean Sea have place por two state the Jews state “Israel” and the “Palestinian” state. Two states can live in peace together. If you are progressive person ask peace and two states from the river to the sea, if not you are and antisemitist person and support genocide
The Palestinians share equal birthright with Jews over the land of Palestine proper which is “from the river to the sea.” Its current state of genocide following years of apartheid and massacres; violates several human rights clauses and Benjamin Netanyahu should have a warrant for his arrest from The Hague for said infringement on human rights. Several early Zionist fathers of Israel spoke very clearly of its colonial intent and American leaders neither yesteryear no presently have forced the state of Israel to adhere to the basic American principles of freedom of religion speech assembly and right to life liberty and happiness that all men share as they are created equal. The current Israeli state has completely jeopardized its legitimacy as a nation; and is the pure example of zealot Israeli fascist leadership and power ran not only unchecked and unbalanced but aided and abetted by poor and corrupt American leadership. Not only should Facebook approve “from the river to the sea” but should refrain from filtering out conversations that specifically call for a new Palestinian and Israeli secular constitution and ones that call on the Hague and other Nations to revoke recognition of Israel as a state. This will be the defining moment of the next generation of middle eastern western foreign relations and it will be very clear who is on the correct side of history. FREE PALESTINE
The use from the river to the sea is unacceptable because it calls for the genicide of the Jewish nation.
Hello Oversight Board -
The phrase “from the river to the sea” seems to clearly break Meta’s rules on Hate Speech, Violence and Incitement or Dangerous Organizations and Individuals.
The phrase violates Meta’s policies prohibiting content that promotes violence or supports terrorism.
The phrase constitutes hate speech, is antisemitic and is a call to abolish the state of Israel.
“From the river to the sea” constitutes a call to violence and a call for exclusion of the Jewish people.
It is linked exclusively to support for terrorist groups and activity.
Please amend or policy on this phrase to reflect its meaning of terror activity and genocide.
Thank you.
As Jewish refugees from Arab countries living in the U.S. we appeal to the Board to prohibit the abhorring and threatening slogan From the river to the sea…from being peddled on Meta’s platform(s). This slogan promotes and calls for violence against all jews and celebrates the slaughter of all jews living in the Land of Israel the sole Jewish homeland and refuge.
When pro-Palestinian or Anti-Israel protestors chant “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” they are referring to the geographic area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The words intend to mean to wipe out all the Jews and have the entire land be only Palestine, for the Palestinian people, as if it was part of their country pre-1948 Israel. However, Palestine never existed as a country except to refer to the area of Judea and Samaria and the British Mandate area. Bottom line, this isn’t about land. This about People chanting this as a statement against Zionism and against the right to a Jewish homeland in Israel. For 75 years Palestinians have used violence, terrorism, suicide bombings, kidnappings and mass assaults, including numerous intifada revolutions to raise world attention and build sympathy. These words encourage violence only and aren’t words of peace. They are calls for wiping out the Jewish people to the sea as HAMAS charter once stated. We hope you will consider its historical and current meaning.
From the river to the sea is unquestionably a call for genocide and the eradication the State of Israel. Take one look at a map and identify which river and which sea and the intent of the statement is crystal clear with no grey area. Between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea there are currently two peoples, and potentially two nations. It has been such since the 1947 UN Partition Plan which the Arabs rejected. To say Palestine will be free from the river and the sea leaves no room for Israel. It is a call for genocide and the annihilation of the only Jewish state in the world. It's violent, dismissive, racist, antisemitic, and leaves no space for discussion, compromise, or peace short of the death of 7.5 million Jews who call Israel their home.
From the River to the Sea is a clear antisemitic phrase as it undisputedly calls for the anialation of all living Jews between those two points. It is hate speech with no doubt as to its intent and should be banned.
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the popular pro-Palestinian chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as Jew Hate (antisemitic). The motion passed by a vote of 377 to 44, and was the result of a bipartisan effort.
Meta must abide by the same logic to ensure that online is safe for all; including your Jewish customers and their allies.
This phrase is pure Jew Hate (antisemitism) and shouldn’t be allowed on any platform. It’s inherently violent and calls for the genocide of Jewish people “from the river to the sea” (jordan river to Mediterranean Sea). It is used to harass, intimidate and bully Jewish customers and their allies. In addition to the clear call for genocide it also results in the erasure of Israel, Jewish people and our collective lived experiences. It’s shameful hate speech and must be stopped.