A YouTube ad published by Israel’s Foreign Ministry on August 24th received many complaints from the public and government agencies for spreading misinformation. The video ad showed people buying and selling fruit, vegetables, and other goods at a street market. The on-screen text states, “There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie.” This was posted just days after several international organizations confirmed a famine is taking place in Gaza.
YouTube’s content policies prohibit videos that “deceive users by excluding relevant product information or providing misleading information.” Despite this, an internal Google email recently revealed that the company does not consider this video to violate its policies. The paid ad has been promoted in multiple languages and is still up today with over 7 million views in English.
Online media platforms like YouTube have played important roles in shaping public perception on current events. Allowing blatant disinformation like this to be shared with millions of viewers is an insult to the people of Gaza still facing hunger and violence today. Israel has once again broken the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement and continues to kill Palestinians and limit aid into the Gaza Strip. These are examples of how U.S. entities continue to support the genocide and devastation in Gaza. The rules seem to change whenever convenient to facilitate Israel’s occupation. We can stand up against these tactics by raising our voices and speaking out in support of the people of Palestine. Stop starving Gaza!
