Current:Home > MyOn Facebook, some pro-Palestinian groups have become a hotbed of antisemitism, study says -NextFrontier Finance
On Facebook, some pro-Palestinian groups have become a hotbed of antisemitism, study says
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:49:10
Administrators of popular pro-Palestine groups are spreading antisemitic hate on Facebook and parent company Meta isn’t doing enough to stop them.
That’s the finding of a new study from the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
Tests run by researchers in 10 Facebook groups with a combined 300,000 members found that the majority – 76% – of anti-Jewish hate speech was ignored by administrators and 91% of accounts posting anti-Jewish hate were not removed.
When researchers reported antisemitic posts to Facebook, moderators did not take any action in 99% of the cases.
“Nefarious individuals have cynically embedded themselves in leadership positions in Facebook Groups that serve as meeting places for well-meaning people to express their solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said in the study. “We found that most content in these groups primarily entailed political criticisms of the Israeli government and solidarity with Palestinian people.
However, Facebook’s negligent design has made it easy for these groups to be run by antisemites who drip-feed lies and exhortations to hate and discrimination against Jews, while the platform itself fails to take responsibility for content moderation.”
In a statement, Meta said hate speech is prohibited on its platforms and in groups, whether they are public or private. Facebook removes hate speech when it is found, even if it is not reported, the company said.
“If group admins break our rules, we also take action, which can include removing the admins or disabling the group,” Meta said.
Since the Oct. 7 attacks and the Gaza conflict, America has seen an alarming surge in antisemitism, from Nazi propaganda to Holocaust denial.
Concerned that social media platforms are helping hate reach a wide audience, President Joe Biden this month denounced “vicious propaganda on social media.”
Last week, representatives from Meta, Google owner Alphabet, TikTok, X, formerly Twitter, and Microsoft met with the Biden administration which is urging the technology companies to take action against antisemitic content.
US special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt, requested dedicated staff to combat antisemitism and report on trends, Bloomberg reported.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- See first look at Travis Kelce hosting 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?'
- Ohio woman claims she saw a Virgin Mary statue miracle, local reverend skeptical
- Investigator says ‘fraudulent’ gift to Florida’s only public historically Black university is void
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Philippe Petit recreates high-wire walk between World Trade Center’s twin towers on 50th anniversary
- Watch these fabulous feline stories on International Cat Day
- Nina Dobrev Details Struggle With Depression After Bike Accident
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Ridiculousness’ Lauren “Lolo” Wood Shares Insight Into Co-Parenting With Ex Odell Beckham Jr.
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Philippe Petit recreates high-wire walk between World Trade Center’s twin towers on 50th anniversary
- Nelly arrested, allegedly 'targeted' with drug possession charge after casino outing
- University of Georgia panel upholds sanctions for 6 students over Israel-Hamas war protest
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- 2024 Olympics: Why Fans Are in Awe of U.S. Sprinter Quincy Hall’s Epic Comeback
- Jelly Roll’s Wife Bunnie XO Faced “Death Scare” After Misdiagnosed Aneurysm
- Tennis Star Rafael Nadal Shares Honest Reason He Won’t Compete at 2024 US Open
Recommendation
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Democrats and Republicans descend on western Wisconsin with high stakes up and down the ballot
2024 Olympics: Canadian Pole Vaulter Alysha Newman Twerks After Winning Medal
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat abruptly retires after disqualification at Olympics
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Teen Mom Stars Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley’s Daughter Leah Looks All Grown Up in Rare Photo
Fired Philadelphia officer leaves jail to await trial after charges reduced in traffic stop death
The Beverly Hills Hotel x Stoney Clover Lane Collab Is Here—Shop Pink Travel Finds & Banana Leaf Bags