StandWithUs UK’s Instagram account suspended following attacks by anti-Israeli groups
Social media giant Meta bows to pressure by pro-Palestinian activists amid Israel educational charity's efforts to fight antisemitism and Israel misinformation
An Israel educational charity dedicated to fighting antisemitism has had its Instagram account repeatedly suspended over the past seven days following attacks by anti-Israel activists.
StandWithUs UK said the first suspension of the account was on Monday 4th December. Whilst the organisation managed to reinstate it on the same day, another attempt on the account on Wednesday 6th December was successful and lasted for 5 days. It got reinstated, then suspended again on Wednesday 13 December.
StandWithUs UK said no specific reasoning has been provided by Meta, the owners of Instagram, and despite the charity’s appeal, they are still struggling to get the account open.
A spokesperson told Jewish News: “What is happening here is simple; there are people out there trying to silence Jewish voices. StandWithUs UK’s social media content has reached 6 million since 7 October; the popular Instagram account sought to educate people about antisemitism and Israel misinformation which we saw on a steep rise these last 2 months.”
“The account was also used to support and empower Jewish university students across the country who have been on the frontline for Israel’s cause.
“Efforts to shut down StandWithUs UK’s social media activities are not rare nor are they unique. Many popular accounts have been affected by those trying to silence Zionist voices and to hinder their activities. Meta should stand with the side of truth and uphold the tenets of free speech and integrity.”
Click here to find out more about StandWithUs UK.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
