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Hatred Amplifies as Social Media Platforms

Fail to Enforce Community Guidelines

BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS


BACKGROUND

Jews find themselves to be the easy target for hate as disinformation and conspiracy theories run rampant on social media and in daily conversation. Two new reports add to the growing evidence of widespread hatred on social media platforms. Hate respects no boundaries, and once lit, becomes a raging wildfire.

 

Two 14-year-old users with new accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (now called X) were bombarded by Nazi propaganda, Holocaust denial and white supremacist symbols. “Suggested for You” recommendations on Instagram included accounts equating Judaism with Satanism, denying Nazi involvement in the Holocaust and promoting blood libels, such as “Jews when they’re about to eat a Christian baby.”

 

This disturbing imagery comes from two new reports published by the ADL and the Tech Transparency Project. Researchers in the first report, Algorithmic Amplification of Antisemitism and Extremism, created six personas, including the 14-year-olds. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter recommended explicitly antisemitic content to test personas of different ages and genders who searched for or looked at conspiracy theories and related topics. Much of the content violated the platforms’ own hate speech policies. YouTube was an outlier; it did not recommend anti-Jewish content. All of these social media companies have policies that prohibit hate speech against minority groups, including Jews.

 

The second report, Auto-generating & Autocompleting Hate, exposed the proliferation of hate groups and the promotion of their content. Facebook, Instagram and YouTube were found to be hosting dozens of hate groups and movements on their platforms, many of which violate the companies’ own policies, but were easy to find via a quick search.

 

The ADL concluded with three recommendations: tech companies need to fix the product features that currently escalate antisemitism and autogenerate hate and extremism; Congress must update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to fit the reality of today’s internet; and more transparency on search engine recommendations is needed.

 

Failing Policies and Guidelines Spark Backlash

 

Social media companies have a shameful track record of not following their own company policies and community guidelines. However, in some instances, they have blocked or removed content following a public outcry. An ADL report from April specifically looked at Holocaust denial policies. Policy reviews were scored, with YouTube earning a C+, Facebook/Instagram a C- and Twitter a D-.

 

Recently, pharmaceutical company Gilead and The Internet and Television Association suspended their ad spending on Twitter following a report showing ads for major brands being shown on an account praising Hitler and the Nazis. Other brands victimized included Amazon, the Atlanta Falcons, Office Depot, Samsung and Sports Illustrated. Twitter also recently allowed a Community Note linking to white supremacist websites and falsely stating that Leo Frank – the victim of an anti-Jewish lynching – was guilty of the rape and murder of a young girl.

 

One rare example of successful policy enforcement was during the 2020-21 academic year. San Francisco State University hosted unrepentant Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled. She hijacked a TWA flight to Tel Aviv in 1969 on behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and attempted to hijack an El Al flight in 1970. Zoom and Facebook removed links from their platforms, stating that the Khaled program violated company policies. Zoom specifically cited its “commitment to anti-terrorism laws.”

 

Social Media Fuels Attacks

 

Recent history shows that hate online can lead to offline tragedy. Right-wing extremist rhetoric continues to reach receptive Americans. White supremacist conspiracy theories were cited by each terrorist responsible for killing 11 Jews in the Tree of Life Synagogue and 23 people in the El Paso Walmart shooting that targeted Latinos. Similar sentiment was shared by the 18-year-old white supremacist who singled out African Americans in a Buffalo attack that killed 10 people.

TALKING POINTS

1. Hate, lies and conspiracy theories spread easily on social media


The speed and reach of these platforms enable hateful content to quickly gain traction, potentially influencing a wide audience. The algorithms employed by these platforms can amplify extreme viewpoints and hate speech – creating echo chambers that validate and embolden users. This can push certain individuals to take dangerous actions based on these views. The rapid spread of harmful content and misinformation not only fosters mistrust and division but can also have real-world consequences, from incitement to violence and even acts of terrorism. The lack of proper fact-checking mechanisms and promoting sensationalist material further exacerbate this problem.


2. Private companies must enforce their own rules and remove harmful content


Social media corporations freely create their own rules and have a responsibility to uphold the guidelines they establish for their platforms. Effective enforcement of rules – especially those aimed at curbing hate speech and violent content – is vital to prevent the spread of false narratives. Companies should invest in identifying and removing harmful content swiftly, rather than favoring profits over people. A consistent and transparent approach to moderation builds trust with users, fostering an environment where diverse voices can be heard without fear of harassment or harm. While navigating the complexities of free expression, companies should recognize that their platforms wield significant influence, and responsible enforcement is crucial for preventing the amplification of hatred and extremist ideologies.


3. Social media users should report hateful content whenever they see it


Actively empowering participation from social media users in reporting hateful content is a crucial step in maintaining a safe online environment. Given the vast scale of these platforms, relying solely on trained moderators and automated systems is challenging. Reporting mechanisms provide an essential opportunity for users to flag instances of hate speech, discrimination and harmful ideologies that might otherwise go unnoticed. Companies must streamline the reporting process, ensuring ease of use and clear instructions, while also prioritizing the investigation and removal of flagged content. This united effort contributes to the elimination of toxic content from these platforms.


4. Education promotes understanding and counters hate


Education stands as a potent tool in combating hate and fostering social understanding. Providing individuals with knowledge, critical thinking skills and a broader perspective, education can act as a barrier against the spread of hate and intolerance. It empowers people to question stereotypes, confront biases and engage in meaningful conversations that bridge divides. Schools and social media platforms must promote digital literacy to help users discern reliable information from toxic narratives. By investing in education that promotes empathy, cultural awareness and open dialogue, future generations can be more resilient against the allure of hate and be better equipped to create a peaceful future.

ACTIONS TO CONSIDER

A. If you see something on social media, say something

Here are steps you can take to contact social media companies to report anti-Jewish content:

1. Report or flag the post; this option is usually located near the post or comment

2. Choose the appropriate category for your report, such as hate speech or harassment

3. Provide as much detail as possible about why you are reporting the content

4. Submit the report

 

B. Contact your Congressional members to demand accountability for social media websites

Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to hold social media platforms accountable for allowing users to publish hateful content. Representatives reintroduced the Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism and Consumer Harms Act (SAFE TECH) to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 and allow social media companies to be held accountable for enabling cyber-stalking, online harassment and discrimination on social media platforms. Congressional representatives respond best to personally written emails.

STORIES MAKING NEWS

Terrorists Attempt to Make Coexistence Impossible

 

A Palestinian terrorist walked into a carwash in the Palestinian city of Huwara. He fired shots, instantly killing an Israeli father and son standing by their car as it was being washed (video of attack). The Iranian-backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations praised the attack. The next day an Israeli man was lightly hurt and his car torched after mistakenly entering a Palestinian town. The following day, a gunman fired dozens of shots into a car carrying three Israelis near Hebron, killing a woman and seriously injuring a man.

 

Shay Silas Nigreker visited Huwara often. His wife recounted at his funeral: “He would go to Huwara all the time. He was not afraid, and he would say, ‘Those are my friends there.’” Shay and his son Avida were in Huwara for hours completing errands. They met Avi Elharrar, a shuttle driver also from the Israeli city of Ashdod, minutes before the attack. Israelis often visit Palestinian cities and towns for goods and services that are cheaper than in Israeli cities. Following the attack, Avi stated that “I’m never going back there. It’s frightening.”

 

In the most recent attack, Batsheva Nigri, a kindergarten teacher and mother of three was killed. Her 12-year-old daughter was in the car and unharmed. The seriously injured man, Aryeh Leib, is a father of six and was shopping for books for his children.

An IDF West Bank commander described the ongoing violence: “We are in the middle of an escalation, a terror wave, the likes of which we have not seen in a long time. The IDF and security forces are operating daily in every area, to foil terror.” The Israeli prime minister and defense minister laid the blame on Iran.

 

There is a growing sense that Israel may need to respond to the escalating attacks despite any criticism it receives in the media. These terrorist attacks and reprisals from Israeli civilians decrease the chances of reaching a peaceful settlement.


Hatred of Jews in America

  • For fourth week in a row, fake bomb threats – swatting – called into synagogues to disrupt Jewish prayer services; dozens of synagogues targeted in more than 10 states; ADL Statement
  • New York Times story: “Hoax calls to police departments or suicide hotlines around the country say that a man is considering killing himself and others or that a bomb has been placed in a building”
  • Millburn, NJ, synagogue congregation member: “A call was made to a suicide hotline that a person was threatening self-harm in a bathroom. It was a swatting incident, so there was no person with a gun in the building.”
  • New report: antisemites and extremists co-opting public comment period at local government meetings
  • American rapper Jay Electronica – a Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan devoteespews anti-Jewish lyrics on fellow rapper Noname’s new album; Noname refuses to apologize
  • Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy takes down online troll who supports Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes (VIDEO)


Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel


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The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.



Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: info@focus-project.org.

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