A new investigation has found that Meta Platforms is allowing Israeli settler groups accused of violent attacks against Palestinians to generate revenue on its platforms, while restricting and suppressing Palestinian voices online.
The report, published by the 7amleh, documents what it describes as a discriminatory system in which extremist settler content is monetized on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, even when it promotes violence, displacement, and attacks on Palestinian communities.
According to the findings, groups such as the Hilltop Youth, which have been sanctioned by several countries for their involvement in attacks in the occupied West Bank, continue to operate pages that generate income through content glorifying violence and illegal settlement expansion. The report states that some of this content includes calls for forced displacement, mockery of Palestinian victims, and celebration of destruction in Gaza.
At the same time, Palestinian journalists, activists, and content creators face widespread censorship. The investigation recorded thousands of cases of Palestinian accounts being restricted, shadow-banned, or permanently removed for documenting conditions under occupation. This has created what the report describes as a “monetization blockade,” effectively preventing Palestinians from earning income through digital platforms.
The findings highlight a widening digital divide, where Palestinian narratives are suppressed while settler groups are able to organize, fundraise, and expand their reach online. The report describes this system as a form of “digital apartheid,” accusing Meta of enabling an environment where violence-linked content is financially rewarded.
The situation comes amid ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank, where attacks by Israeli forces and settlers have intensified since late 2023. According to available data, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured during this period, as settlement expansion and military operations continue across the territory.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, home to more than 700,000 settlers, are widely considered illegal under international law. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly condemned settlement activity, and in 2024 the International Court of Justice ruled that the occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful and called for the removal of settlements.
The report calls for an independent review of Meta’s moderation policies, particularly in Hebrew-language content, and urges the company to address what it describes as systemic bias. It also demands equal enforcement of platform rules and protection for Palestinian digital expression.
The findings add to growing scrutiny of major technology companies over their role in moderating content in conflict zones and their potential impact on narratives, accountability, and access to information.
