UK set to ban social media content related to Hamas

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – UK's Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan on Wednesday convened a meeting with social media executives, urging them to remove violent content associated with the Hamas attack on Israel from their platforms.

The move comes as X, formerly known as Twitter, faces criticism from the EU for discussions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict on its platform, including the dissemination of fake news and the use of historical footage presented in a misleading context.

"A wave of violence and antisemitism has swept across social media. Today, I talked to platforms about how they can and must stop Hamas and supporters pushing wicked terrorism to the world. I’ve asked them to confirm in writing the actions they are taking," she said.

Meanwhile, in a controversial move, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman issued a warning to police chiefs on Tuesday regarding the display of Palestinian flags on British streets.

In a letter to chief constables in England and Wales, she suggested that waving the flag "may not be legitimate" if it is seen as a show of support for terrorism.

Braverman said although there are valid reasons for expressing solidarity with Palestinians, certain actions go beyond the boundaries set by the Terrorism Act and the Public Order Act.

“I’ve called an urgent meeting with social media companies to ensure action is taken to swiftly remove any violent content fuelled by Hamas’ acts of terrorism in Israel from their platforms. We are taking action to stand in solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community,” she added.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.