By Omar Zahzah
In addition to YouTube, Kates describes the severe repression Samidoun faces on the Meta platform Instagram, including the arbitrary nature of “community standards violations.”
The crackdown on support for Palestine by major tech platforms highlights the broader issue of digital/settler-colonialism, where US Big Tech collaborates with the Zionist state for profit. Organizations like Samidoun face systematic censorship, revealing the bias inherent in Big Tech’s policies.
Despite attempts to silence Palestinian voices online, Samidoun continues to advocate for Palestinian prisoners’ rights and expose their plight. The recent deletion of their YouTube channel by Google exemplifies the challenges faced by those speaking out against oppression.
Matrix of Repression
Samidoun’s struggle against censorship forms part of a larger matrix of political repression, where designation as a “terrorist” organization by Israel leads to global bans and suppression. The arbitrary nature of these bans underscores the urgent need for digital freedom and resistance.
‘It’s Coming for You, Too’
In the face of escalating censorship, Samidoun’s experience serves as a warning to all advocates of justice and equality. Technology must not be monopolized by oppressive forces, and individuals and organizations must remain adaptable to counter censorship efforts.
– Omar Zahzah is the Education and Advocacy Coordinator for Eyewitness Palestine as well as a member of several Palestinian movements. He holds a PhD in Comparative Literature and contributes to The Palestine Chronicle.
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