Meta Faces Scrutiny Over Advertisements Supporting Israeli Settlements in West Bank
An investigation reveals Meta has benefited from over 100 ads promoting illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, raising legal and ethical concerns.
A recent investigation has found that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has profited from more than 100 advertisements promoting illegal Israeli settlements and far-right settler activities in the occupied West Bank.
These advertisements include listings for property developments in settlements such as Ariel, located approximately 20 kilometers east of the Green Line, and calls for the demolition of Palestinian homes, schools, and playgrounds.
Some advertisements also solicit donations for Israeli military units operating in Gaza.
Among the significant advertisers is a Facebook page named Ramat Aderet, which promotes luxury apartments equipped with amenities such as saunas, jacuzzis, and cold plunges.
This company, estimated to be valued at $300 million according to financial data firm PitchBook, has reportedly received funding from the First International Bank of Israel.
Additionally, another 48 ads were identified as being posted by Gabai Real Estate, which markets homes in the settlements of Ma’ale Adumim and Efrat.
At least 52 of these advertisements have been placed by Israeli real estate firms targeting potential buyers in Israel, the UK, and the United States.
Many of these ads remain active on Facebook, having been published as recently as March 2024.
In response to the findings, Meta has defended its advertising policies, stating that it employs robust processes and teams to review ads, designed to ensure compliance with its standards.
The company explained that its ad review system primarily relies on automated technology to manage the millions of advertisements that run across its platforms, while human teams are tasked with building and training these systems and, in some instances, manually reviewing ads.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal.
Legal experts have expressed concerns that Meta's decision to allow these advertisements, along with profiting from them, could render the company complicit in potential criminal activities.
Furthermore, the solicitation of donations for military equipment in Gaza may breach international humanitarian law and also contravene Meta's own policy against promoting the sale or use of weapons, ammunition, or explosives.
These advertisements include listings for property developments in settlements such as Ariel, located approximately 20 kilometers east of the Green Line, and calls for the demolition of Palestinian homes, schools, and playgrounds.
Some advertisements also solicit donations for Israeli military units operating in Gaza.
Among the significant advertisers is a Facebook page named Ramat Aderet, which promotes luxury apartments equipped with amenities such as saunas, jacuzzis, and cold plunges.
This company, estimated to be valued at $300 million according to financial data firm PitchBook, has reportedly received funding from the First International Bank of Israel.
Additionally, another 48 ads were identified as being posted by Gabai Real Estate, which markets homes in the settlements of Ma’ale Adumim and Efrat.
At least 52 of these advertisements have been placed by Israeli real estate firms targeting potential buyers in Israel, the UK, and the United States.
Many of these ads remain active on Facebook, having been published as recently as March 2024.
In response to the findings, Meta has defended its advertising policies, stating that it employs robust processes and teams to review ads, designed to ensure compliance with its standards.
The company explained that its ad review system primarily relies on automated technology to manage the millions of advertisements that run across its platforms, while human teams are tasked with building and training these systems and, in some instances, manually reviewing ads.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal.
Legal experts have expressed concerns that Meta's decision to allow these advertisements, along with profiting from them, could render the company complicit in potential criminal activities.
Furthermore, the solicitation of donations for military equipment in Gaza may breach international humanitarian law and also contravene Meta's own policy against promoting the sale or use of weapons, ammunition, or explosives.
