The Strategic Affairs and Diaspora Affairs ministries released a report Wednesday in an attempt to orchestrate a first-of-its-kind national response to combat hate speech online.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The framework was presented in a special Knesset hearing of the Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs Committee and held on the occasion of international Safer Internet Day.
Blue and White MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh led the discussion, which was attended by government officials as well as representatives of major social media networks. The committee focused on getting social media companies to reinvigorate their efforts against anti-Semitic hate speech online and promote the implementation of effective policy and enforcement against the worry growing trend.
AGAIN @Twitter came before the Knesset & AGAIN explained its inconsistent application of policy that does not require removing statements like @khamenei_ir's calls for genocide against the Jewish state and its people!
cc. @jack #AdoptIHRA
WATCH below: pic.twitter.com/r9AeOZIHjM
— מיכל קוטלר-וונש | Michal Cotler-Wunsh (@CotlerWunsh) February 10, 2021
Cotler-Wunsh, for example, pointed out the inconsistent application of Twitter's labyrinthine rules, particularly in relation to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's continued presence on the platform despite his repeated calls to commit genocide against the Jewish people.
Social media companies currently enjoy widespread freedom of action, which allows them to create policy and selectively enforce it, although there is significant pressure in the United State in particular to curtail this.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
Among the measures called for is the labeling of anti-Semitic content, similar to industry practice with so-called misinformation surrounding the US presidential election and COVID-19. It also calls on companies to implement clear definitions of hate speech, including implementing the IHRA Working Definition on Antisemitism, referencing it in its policy and labeling, said a statement.
Strategic Affairs Minister Michael Biton said, "The Jewish people and the State of Israel are constantly being attacked through incitement, the spreading of misinformation, and outright lies. We have a special interest in taking the initiative on this issue and are holding social media companies accountable to start taking responsibility and act to implement clearer, more effective and transparent policies."
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
