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YouTube reinstates antisemitism campaigner’s account after mistaken suspension
David Collier saw his YouTube channel 'Beyond the great divide' suspended by YouTube after it was mistaken for hate speech
YouTube has reinstated the channel of leading antisemitism researcher and campaigner David Collier after it was mistaken for hate speech.
The platform announced a ban this week on videos promoting Holocaust denial or white supremacy, including content thought to promote or glorify Nazi ideology.
Collier took to Twitter earlier today after YouTube informed him that his channel, called Beyond the great divide, was banned for containing hate speech.
His channel, which has over 200 subscribers, spans some 89 videos, which all contain footage and images of alleged antisemitism in the UK.
It’s like a virus. YouTube have now banned my YT channel for ‘hate-speech’ – probably because as a fighter against #antisemitism– I share examples of it. It’s so hurtful. hours & hours of unique – irreplaceable footage gone. Oh the antisemites are dancing today! @TeamYouTube
— David Collier (@mishtal) June 6, 2019
“It’s like a virus,” Collier wrote. “YouTube have now banned my YT channel for ‘hate-speech’ – probably because as a fighter against #antisemitism I share examples of it.”
“It’s so hurtful. Hours and hours of unique – irreplaceable footage gone. Oh the antisemites are dancing today,” he continued.
But the anti-racism activist received an email from the platform later today informing him that his account had been reinstated and found not to be in violation of its terms of service.
Before Collier’s channel was reinstated, Mark Gardner from the Community Security Trust, described the suspension as “appalling”, adding that YouTube still “host countless examples of real racism, Jew-hatred and incitement.”
YouTube has been contacted for comment.
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