Meta Board Rules on 'From the River to the Sea' Slogan

Meta's Supervisory Board has ruled that the phrase 'From the river to the sea' does not violate the company's content policies against hate speech or incitement to violence. This decision comes amidst ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas, where the slogan, often associated with pro-Palestinian demonstrations, has been criticized as anti-Semitic by pro-Israel advocates. The Board concluded that the posts containing the phrase expressed solidarity with Palestinians without promoting violence or discrimination. Although the phrase can have various interpretations, including implications of anti-Zionism, the Board emphasized the importance of context in political speech. A minority of the Board members argued for a presumption of glorification of Hamas given its usage in the group's charter, but the majority found that blanket removal would stifle necessary political discourse. The ruling reflects a broader tension between safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring safety on social media platforms.