Meta’s Oversight Board has ruled that the use of the phrase "From the River to the Sea" does not violate the company’s content moderation policies. This phrase used by pro-Palestinian supporters, has sparked controversy due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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| A woman holds a banner reading, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be Free" during a pro-Palestine protest in Buenos Aires, May 17th, 2021. Photo: Manuel Cortina/NurPhoto via AP |
Israel and its supporters often interpret the phrase as advocating for the elimination of the state of Israel, branding it as anti-Semitic. However, many Palestinians and their supporters claim to use the slogan as a call for self-determination and equal rights within the geographical area spanning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, which includes Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.
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The independent Meta Oversight Board reviewed three cases involving posts that featured the phrase and concluded that these posts did not breach Meta’s rules on hate speech, incitement to violence, or content from dangerous organizations.
The board noted that the phrase can carry multiple meanings, depending on the context and intent of the user. It highlighted that in the three incidents reviewed, the content expressed solidarity with Palestinians without inciting violence or exclusion. The Board recognized, however, that some individuals may use the phrase in a violent or exclusionary way, but this did not apply in the reviewed cases.
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| National March on Washington, November 4, 2023. (Photo: Laura Albast) |
The ruling comes amidst high tensions in the region, with the war in Gaza intensifying since October 7, when Hamas launched attacks on Israel. Protests and online activism related to the conflict have surged, with the phrase gaining particular visibility.
Despite accusations from Israeli officials and some pro-Israel groups who allege that the phrase as a call for violence, the Oversight Board determined that the posts in question did not glorify violence or Hamas. However, a minority of board members felt that, in light of Hamas's attacks, posts using the phrase could be perceived as supporting the militant group unless clear signals indicated otherwise.
The Oversight Board's decision stated that the phrase carries "multiple meanings" and can be used in different ways depending on context. "In upholding Meta’s decisions to keep up the content, the majority of the Board notes the phrase has multiple meanings and is used by people in various ways and with different intentions," the board stated. It added that the posts in question showed "contextual signs of solidarity with Palestinians — but no language calling for violence or exclusion."
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Meta’s Oversight Board serves as an independent body to review difficult content moderation decisions made by the company. It has the final say in cases brought before it, and its rulings are intended to guide Meta in refining its content moderation practices.
In response to the board's ruling, Meta welcomed the review, stating, "We know our policies come with global challenges, and we regularly seek input from experts outside Meta, including the Oversight Board."