Monday, July 21, 2014

Another @Facebook Page Shut Down #Gaza - @ShehabAgency

It seems that the Shehab Shehab News Agency page with more than 1.2 million fans has disappeared from Facebook.

The page is very important and significant role in the follow-up to the news, transported and moved the global solidarity with # Gaza.

Administrators of the page were first reportedly given a 24 hour ban after posting a picture of a wounded child in Gaza.

The page was reportedly shut down earlier today with no additional warnings or reason.

A new page has been started here

More information to follow.

Many thanks to The uprising of women in the Arab world انتفاضة المرأة في العالم العربي‎ for alerting me to this situation.

Monday, July 14, 2014

How Many Activist Pages will Facebook Shut Down? #PalestineUnderAttack


It seems Facebook has shut down several other pages of Palestinian activists.  I awoke to the following information via a trusted friend:

"Truth doesn't need to ban anything. Why is this happening? What would happen if a pro-Israeli Facebook page was removed?

"The Muslim Public Affairs Committee page has been banned by Zios, 90,000 members all pro Palestinians and they banned it. Don't let this stand one of the few places that Palestine has a voice is on Facebook, if we allow them to ban Mpac then next they will silence any pro Pal voice. Please, please share on your pages, tweet do what ever but complain to Facebook and get the page reinstated. "

Please sign the petition here to have their page reinstated.

They have also started a new page MPACUK1Ummah

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Trevor LaBonte, a friend who is very critical of Israel, was banned from Facebook for seven days yesterday. His other account has also been banned for the last 36 hours.

#Gaza #Activists #SaveGaza #Israel #StopIsrael #StopGenocide#Genocide"

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Image:

Who Rules? - François-Marie Aroue, Voltaire Quote - jpg

Via Mirela Monte - special thanks to Gloria Torres for sharing this with me.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Palestinian Activist and Photographer Hamde Abu's Facebook Page Shut Down


Palestinian Activist and Photographer Hamde Abu had his personal page removed from Facebook today.  I spoke to Hamde today via Skype.  Just to reiterate for those who are worried, Hamde is fine and in good spirits, despite everything.

Approximately 7 hours ago, Hamde was notified that has account had been suspended.  He received the following message.

"Facebook is a community where people use their real identities. We require everyone to provide their real first and last names and real birthday so you always know who you're connecting with. Your account is temporarily suspended because your timeline doesn't list your real name.

To reopen this account, please reply to this email stating your real name (as it would be listed on a government-issued ID like a passport or drivers license). Once we know your real name, we can update your timeline and reactivate your account."

The timing for the removal of his page for those who are following what is happening now in Palestine is suspect.  Facebook did change their rules several months ago, but it was only today that his page was taken down.

One of Hamde's last updates on Facebook: "the latest update from Gaza strip,
86 were killed since the Israeli operation in Gaza ,and more than 550 were reported injured."

Furthermore, it is troubling that activists in parts of the world where they may not want their full identities known are targeted this way.

Hamde told me that he had sent in his Full legal name along with a copy of his passport twice already to Facebook.  As we spoke, he sent me a copy of that same passport and we tried to do it again from my end.

There's no telling when or if his personal page will be restored, but it is concerning that so much of the visual history he has captured, particularly in these last weeks, will not be visible or accessible to anyone.

His Photography page is still up, but he is unable to post there with his personal page suspended. To support Hamde in the interim, please continue to share his photos from that page.


I will continue share updates here as I get them.

The page is still down with no response from Facebook as of Saturday 8pm PST.

Sign the Change.org petition here.

Several other activist pages have also been blocked or banned.  Read more here

Hamde's page was restored at approximately 5pm PST on Tuesday, July 15th.