Information about the eviction of Palestinians from an East Jerusalem neighbourhood was systematically removed from social media, say digital researchers who have collected evidence of the content takedowns.
Hundreds of posts and accounts documenting events in Sheikh Jarrah were deleted or restricted, the researchers said.
As violence escalated in Jerusalem at the weekend, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were all accused of removing content or suspending accounts that shared information about the neighbourhood where Palestinian families are facing eviction from their homes.
Social media platforms have been dogged by issues with their moderation of content in non-English speaking conflict areas such as Palestine. As they tinker with their moderation systems, Palestinians are increasingly reporting that their digital rights are being violated by these platforms.
Instagram confirmed a system update resulted in a technical error that removed tens of millions of Stories, Highlights and Archives around the world, including in protest areas like East Jerusalem and Colombia.
"These errors result in infringing on people's rights, especially at critical moments where activists need social media tools to cover and document human rights abuses," Marwa Fatafta, the Middle East and North Africa policy manager at Access Now, told The National.
Instagram said the glitch was patched by Friday morning, but as violence in East Jerusalem was escalating, so were reports of content restrictions.
As Israeli forces stormed Islam's third-holiest site, Al Aqsa mosque, on Friday, the hashtags for the mosque were hidden on Instagram. The platform blocked content about Jerusalem just as Israeli forces stormed the mosque with stun grenades and rubber bullets, injuring 220 people, mostly Palestinians.
"We were made aware that the الاقصى# and الأقصى# hashtags were restricted in error," a spokesperson for Facebook, which own Instagram, told The National.
“This was unrelated to the technical issue, which affected Stories, Archives and Highlights. We sincerely apologise for both issues,” they said.
Beyond the admission that Stories and hashtags were affected, a litany of unusual social media behaviour surrounds content about Sheikh Jarrah.
Researchers have documented numerous restrictive behaviours experienced by users. They found that Twitter accounts were suspended, Facebook posts removed, graphic warning labels added to text-only posts on Instagram, and live-streams from Sheikh Jarrah blocked.
Nine digital rights organisations signed a statement saying the rapid escalation of content removal around Sheikh Jarrah was “egregious and pronounced”.
Having logged 200 examples of removed content, the Arab Centre for the Advancement of Social Media, known as 7amleh, contacted the various social media platforms and successfully pressured them to restore some of the content.
"Which means they did not really violate the community standards," Nadim Nashif, the executive director of 7amleh, told The National.
Palestine-based digital rights group Sada Social identified at least 50 Twitter accounts that shared information about Sheikh Jarrah and were suspended.
Twitter told The National it "took enforcement action on a number of accounts in error by an automated spam filter".
“We are expeditiously reversing this action to reinstate access to the affected accounts.”
Israel fuels social media takedowns
Meanwhile, Instagram confirmed to The National that no content was removed as a result of a government request.
The clarification is an important one, as Israel is known to run a cyber unit within its Ministry of Justice that systematically surveils Palestinian content and reports it to Facebook.
The number of content removal requests made by the Israeli cyber unit jumped from 2,241 in 2016, to 12,351 in 2017, to 14,283 in 2018 – an increase of 600 per cent over three years, reports from Israel’s state attorney’s office revealed.
Facebook complied with 90 per cent of the requests made by Israel. The targeted content was completely or partially removed, mostly for "identifying with a terrorist organisation" or "incitement offences", the state attorney’s report said.
“Israel already has enormous advantages politically, diplomatically, economically, and militarily. So the technological advantage only adds to the already massive asymmetry between the two sides,” said Khaled Elgindy, director of the Middle East Institute’s programme on Palestine.
It is increasingly common for Palestinians to see their social media posts disappear without explanation as Facebook has developed a number of policies that appear to disproportionately affect Palestinian content.
If the content is not removed at the behest of the Israeli government, it is likely the decision of artificial intelligence.
Moderating Arabic content without context
In 2017, Israeli police mistakenly arrested a Palestinian worker because an AI translation of his Facebook post mistook the words “good morning,” for “attack them” in Hebrew or “hurt them” in English. No Arabic speaker had reviewed the post before the arrest.
Social media companies rely heavily on moderation tools that use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, but these systems struggle to digest the Arabic language and understand delicate contexts.
“For the global south countries, content moderation is problematic because it’s pretty much built on the experience of Americans,” said Mr Nashif.
“When it comes to occupation or conflict areas, it becomes much more complicated.”
In Palestine, anyone killed by Israeli forces is referred to as a shaheed, a martyr in Arabic. Facebook has determined the word falls under the “dangerous individuals and organisations policy”, meaning posts mentioning shaheed can be easily removed.
“Shaheed is a common word, it's part of the Palestinian lexicon,” said Ms Fatafta.
“So how did Facebook interpret shaheed as a vile word, as a word that is glorifying terrorism?”
Social media platforms are tasked with moderating content they do not understand and they are not willing to understand, added Ms Fatafta.
"When they use automated decision-making tools that are absolutely blind to context, the result is mass censorship and takedown," she told The National.
“It's a disaster in the making.”
Palestinian news organisations face similar barriers when it comes to utilising social media platforms to report from the front lines of violent battles. Content is routinely removed for being too graphic.
In 2016, the Facebook accounts of four editors at the Palestinian Shehab News Agency and three journalists from Al Quds News Network were disabled for violating community standards. Soon after, they were reinstated.
“This is an internationally recognised conflict zone. And it's important for media outlets to cover the reality for what it is, but that content sometimes gets taken down,” said Ms Fatafta.
Preventing Palestinians from sharing their stories has a tremendous impact politically, Mr Elgindy said.
"It distorts the debate and prevents policymakers and the general public from understanding the realities of occupation and dispossession," he told The National.
As Palestinian users find it increasingly challenging to navigate restricted online spaces, another challenge may soon await them.
Facebook is debating whether to designate the word "Zionism" as a protected term. If passed, it would mean critical conversations using the term would fall within the rubric of hate speech and could be removed.
“There are so many ways Palestinian voices have been marginalised, excluded and distorted. The oldest and most common has been to associate Palestinian resistance to the Zionist project and expressions of support for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism. This has been going on for over a hundred years,” said Mr Elgindy.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
HAJJAN
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
