Meta oversight board rules in favor of 'From the River to the Sea' phrase

Meta’s content moderation board has ruled in favor of allowing Facebook posts featuring the phrase “From the River to the Sea,” a slogan often used in solidarity with Palestinians, stating that a blanket ban on the phrase would violate free speech principles.

After reviewing three Facebook posts containing the slogan, the board concluded that they did not violate Meta's hate speech or incitement policies.

The phrase "From the River to the Sea" refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which encompasses Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

While some critics argue that the phrase is antisemitic, others maintain that it is a legitimate expression of support for Palestinian rights.

Meta’s oversight board, which operates independently but is funded by the social media giant, said, “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,”

It emphasized the phrase's nuanced meanings and the potential for it to be used in ways that do not promote harm or discrimination.

A spokesperson for Meta, which also owns Instagram and Threads, stated: “We welcome the board’s review of our guidance on this matter. Although our policies are designed with safety in mind, we recognize the global challenges they present and continually seek input from experts, including the Oversight Board.”

With input from Reuters.