Meta: We Need to Talk about Genocide

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, META

The powerful voices of Palestinians and allies on social media have been a lifeline during the Israeli government’s genocidal war on Gaza — and often the only way for Palestinians to tell their stories, document human rights abuses, and seek international solidarity during this time of utter horror.

As Palestinians in Gaza face plausible genocide (according to the International Court of Justice) it is disturbing that Meta is choosing this moment to consider a policy that would further silence criticism of the Israeli military, Israeli government, and Zionism by shutting down conversations involving the term “Zionist.” Meta is proposing to treat “Zionist” as a proxy for "Jew" or "Jewish” — but this won’t make any of us safer. Instead, it will undermine efforts to dismantle real antisemitism and all forms of racism and bigotry.

Palestinians should be able to name the political ideology that impacts their survival without fearing reprisals. Anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jews should be able to criticize the ideology that claims to represent them. And human rights defenders should be able to hold the Israeli military and government accountable — now, more than ever.

To: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, META
From: [Your Name]

I am greatly disturbed that during a time of plausible genocide that Meta is aiming to change its hate-speech policies in regards to the term “Zionist.” This will adversely impact Palestinians, Jews, and all people who are critical of the Israeli government. We must be able to criticize governments without fear of censorship and reprisals.