Meta shuts down accounts of an Israeli group targeting Gaza aid convoys

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently shut down accounts associated with an Israeli group called Tzav 9, responsible for organizing attacks on aid convoys to the Gaza Strip. 

This decision came amid increasing scrutiny over how social media platforms will handle the content related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

The accounts were deactivated for violating Meta’s policies against coordinated inauthentic behavior until the hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 were released. Meta confirmed that these accounts were part of a network that spread disinformation at the Tarqumiya checkpoint in the Hebron Hills region, spilling some of the goods from the trucks onto the ground. 

This move by Meta is part of a broader effort to clamp down on the misuse of its platforms, which used both Facebook and Instagram for organizing its raids on convoys and was implemented for violating Meta’s Coordinating Harm policy. 

The company has previously faced criticism related to sensitive geopolitical issues. This policy prohibits individuals from “facilitating, organizing, promoting or admitting to certain criminal or harmful activities targeted at people, businesses, property or animals. 

Meta faced pressure to crack down on both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian media accounts because they were spreading misinformation since 7 October.

The deactivation of these accounts is seen as a significant step in addressing social media misuse, which the company attributed to “flawed Meta policies and their inconsistent and erroneous implementation. 

Tsav 9 made international headlines this week as its ongoing campaign against humanitarian aid to Gaza escalated.

The group’s activists repeatedly attacked aid convoys heading to the Gaza Strip, sparking widespread global discontent.

In a statement to the Jerusalem Post earlier this week, Tsav 9 said that violent elements “are not in line with our values.”

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Tsav 9 would stop its protests until further notice in the wake of the recent attacks on aid trucks.

However, the group said in a statement posted on social media that its members “will return next week to prevent aid trucks from reaching Hamas.”

The terms of use of the “Give” platform confirm that it is not permissible to publish any content that “encourages the commission of a criminal or civil crime” or that “constitutes a violation of any law.”

After Newsweek requested information about the fundraiser, a representative for Give said the group’s page had been removed from the platform by late Thursday evening.

Give is a platform used by recognized NGOs that comply with our regulations and the laws of Israel,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We have closely followed recent events related to the group above and have decided to remove their campaign page from our platform pending an official investigation into the incident.”

Unfortunately, Meta has faced criticism for being more aggressive in curbing Palestinian and Arabic content. This discrepancy highlights the need for more balanced and effective moderation on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to ensure the fair treatment of all users and content.