Meta bans posts that disparagingly call Jews and Israelis “Zionists”

Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, is an American technology and social media conglomerate headquartered in California. The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger Live announced some changes to its policy on Tuesday that could help reduce anti-Semitic content online.

The company said it will ban derogatory or threatening references to “Zionists,” when the word is used to refer to people just because they are Jews or Israelis, and not to the movement fighting to establish a Jewish political entity.

Any posts that use “anti-Semitic stereotypes or threaten other types of harm through intimidation or violence directed against Jews or Israelis under the pretext of attacking Zionists” will be removed from the platform by Meta moderators.

Ronald Lauder, president of the Jewish Congress World, expressed that “Meta's decision is a much-needed advance in our continued fight against anti-Semitism and online hate” and added that “by recognizing and addressing the misuse of the term 'Zionist', Meta is taking a courageous stance against those who seek to hide their hatred of the Jews.”