STOP THE HATE: UWI Joins 180 Groups Demanding Twitter Address its Antisemitism Problem

As far back as 2018, Twitter hosted over 4 million antisemitic tweets over a 12-month period. The social media giant must adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism to stop harassment of Jews on online.

By United with Israel Staff

This week, United with Israel joined 180 nonprofit and civil rights organizations demanding that “Twitter’s guidelines afford protection to Jewish Twitter users from antisemitic content and harassment.”

According to a joint letter, which can be downloaded here, signed by UWI, “Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism would provide Twitter with an effective and neutral tool to protect Jewish users from antisemitic content along with the hate and violence it can inspire.”

The letter continues, “This is particularly urgent given the record-breaking spike in antisemitic incidents over the last three years. For example, between 2020-2021, antisemitic incidents surged by 78% in the United Kingdom and 75% in France, while the United States saw an all-time high with 2,717 recorded antisemitic incidents, a 34% increase from the prior year.”

“As far back as 2018, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) identified at least 4.2 million antisemitic tweets over a 12-month period. In a follow-up sample analysis by the ADL from August 2021, Twitter was found to have 25% more antisemitism on the platform than Reddit — with an initial removal rate of only 21% by Twitter of reported antisemitic content. Furthermore, the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (ISCA) at Indiana University found that between January – August 2020, 11% of conversations about Jews and 13% of conversations
about Israel on Twitter were antisemitic in nature. Most recently, in July 2022, the ADL reported a negligible 5% removal rate of a data-sample reported directly to Twitter.”

The first step in fighting antisemitism is defining properly, which is why the IHRA definition is so critical. The IHRA Working Definition covers “justifying the killing of Jews in the name of radical ideology, Holocaust denial, and denying the Jewish right to self-determination in the State of Israel.”

UWI and its allies call on Twitter to update its anti-hate policies by adopting the globally recognized IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as stop the spread of Jew-hatred.

According to the IHRA, “Nearly 40 countries, including the United States, have already endorsed or adopted the IHRA Working Definition. In addition, an overwhelming majority of civil society groups, at the forefront of the fight against antisemitism, encourage the use and adoption of the IHRA Working Definition.”

You too can take action by clicking here to join forces with the Adopt IHRA Coalition!

Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation to Show Your Support!

Donate to vital charities that protect Israelis and help inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!

Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- and also the battle of public opinion.

Anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies effectively use social media to incite brutal terror against innocent Israeli civilians. Please help us fight back!

HELP DEFEND THE TRUTH - MAKE A DONATION TODAY