fourteen Jewish organizations depart from X following Elon Musk's strengthened use of Nazi-related language
fourteen American Jewish organizations announced their departure from the social media platform X on Monday, citing a surge in antisemitic content and the "coarsening of discourse" since Elon Musk acquired the site in late 2022. Despite not explicitly referring to Musk's recent Nazi-style salutes, the groups pointed out his re-posting of anti-Semitic and xenophobic content, promoting it to his massive following.
In a joint statement, leaders from the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and 11 other organizations explained their decision as being rooted in their commitment to healing societal division and promoting more constructive discourse. They accused X of turning into a platform that promotes hate and antisemitism while reducing content moderation and elevating white supremacist supporters and conspiracy theory peddlers.
Musk's actions have raised concerns among vulnerable groups faced with President Trump's radical policy changes. Notably, Musk made virtual appearances at German rallies for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) political party, known for its controversial links with neo-Nazis, and hosted a discussion with an AfD leader who made false claims about Adolf Hitler being a communist.
While various Jewish organizations left X, they acknowledged that no platform is void of challenges and the importance of choosing words with care. Some groups will maintain their presence on X to protect their handles but won't contribute to the escalation of hostile discourse. X remained silent following the news, and Gizmodo awaits a response.
Enrichment insights:
- Antisemitic content on the platform surged, leading to criticism, including the use of derogatory language against individuals affiliated with Jewish communities.
- Content moderation became weakened under Musk's leadership, resulting in an increase in white supremacist supporters and conspiracy theories.
- Musk re-shared controversial content, including perceived antisemitic and racist remarks, and was criticized for his behavior.
The departure of these Jewish organizations from X is driven by their concern for the future of societal discourse, as they see the platform turning into a breeding ground for hate and antisemitism. With Musk's promotion of controversial content and weakened content moderation, tech giants need to rethink their roles in shaping the future of technology and public dialogue.