Oversight panel tells Meta not to automatically delete ‘From river to sea’ phrase
Committee says slogan, viewed by critics as an antisemitic call to eradicate Israel, has several meanings, stresses need for debate even in times of conflict
Meta Platforms’ Oversight Board said on Wednesday the Facebook parent should not automatically remove a phrase seen by many as an endorsement of the eradication of the State of Israel, and claimed by others to merely display solidarity with Palestinians.
The board, which operates independently but is funded by the US social media firm, argued that the phrase “From the river to the sea” has several meanings, and as such its use cannot in itself be deemed to be harmful, violent or discriminatory.
The phrase refers to the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, between which lie Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. It is often chanted at pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrations.
Critics of the phrase say it is antisemitic and a call for Israel’s eradication and for a Palestinian state to be formed in the entire space between the river and the sea. Pro-Palestinian activists reject charges that the phrase encourages violence and claim it is a call for freedom and human rights in the region.
“Context is crucial,” said Oversight Board co-chair Pamela San Martin. “Simply removing political speech is not a solution. There needs to be room for debate, especially during times of crisis and conflict.”
The Oversight Board said it came to the conclusion after it had reviewed three cases involving content posted on Facebook by different users containing the phrase.
“We welcome the board’s review of our guidance on this matter,” Meta said in a statement. “While all of our policies are developed with safety in mind, we know they come with global challenges and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board.”
Alex Abdo, litigation director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University which promotes free speech, called the decision by the board “thoughtful (and in my opinion, correct).”
The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, said the decision was “short-sighted.”
“Usage of this phrase has the effect of making members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracized,” it said.
The board also called on Meta to improve access to data for journalists and researchers, less than a month after Meta discontinued CrowdTangle, a tool widely used to check misinformation and conduct research on content on Meta’s platforms, including Instagram.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
