At the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Jonathan Greenblatt, Randi Weingarten, and Jennifer Schenker, prominent figures in Jewish advocacy and education, called for stricter social media regulations to curb antisemitism. Their advocacy comes amid growing concerns about the influence of platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook on public discourse and the spread of so-called hate speech. This move has reignited debates over free speech, the boundaries of political criticism, and the role of universities and social media companies in navigating contentious geopolitical issues.
Article by Lance D. Johnson, republished with permission from Naturalnews.com
WEF discussed expansion to social media censorship to curb so-called antisemitism
At the WEF 2025, Greenblatt, Weingarten, and Schenker emphasized the need for increased social media censorship. Their arguments are rooted in the belief that the current climate of online speech is fostering an environment conducive to antisemitic rhetoric. Greenblatt, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, argued that social media companies must take more proactive steps to prevent the dissemination of hate speech.
Weingarten, president of the American Jewish Congress, echoed these concerns, stating that social media platforms have a moral obligation to ensure that their spaces do not become breeding grounds for antisemitism. She called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and the development of new legislation aimed at holding social media accountable for the content they host.
Schenker, president of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, highlighted the importance of education in combating antisemitism. She argued that universities and educational institutions must play a critical role in teaching students about the dangers of hate speech and the importance of respectful discourse.
Their advocacy has sparked a debate over the balance between protecting individuals from hate speech and preserving free expression. These calls for increased censorship risk stifling legitimate political discourse and equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
A threat to Free Speech worldwide
Constitutional scholars argue that the broad application of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and related legislation threatens First Amendment rights. The definition includes examples such as “claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.” These provisions, critics say, risk stifling legitimate political discourse and equating anti-Zionism—opposition to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state—with antisemitism.
The move by Harvard University to adopt the IHRA definition and provide training on combating antisemitism has further fueled concerns about the suppression of dissent. Students and activists argue that this decision chills their ability to protest against Israel’s policies, particularly its ongoing war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 46,000 Palestinians.
Furthermore, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2024, represents the latest effort to codify the IHRA definition into federal law. The bill, co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, passed the House with a vote of 320-91 and is now moving to the Senate. Critics argue that this bill, if enacted into law, will further criminalize anti-Israel sentiments and shield Israel from criticism.
This time around, attacks against the First Amendment are supported by several members of both political parties. Congress may decide to shred the First Amendment all to protect the genocide taking place in Gaza.
The advocacy for increased social media regulations and the adoption of the IHRA definition at Harvard University and other institutions highlights the ongoing debate over free expression and antisemitism. As prominent figures continue to call for stricter measures, the debate over the balance between protecting individuals from hate speech and preserving free expression will likely intensify, raising concerns about the future of political discourse and the role of universities in navigating contentious geopolitical issues.
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Pete Hegseth Speaks Out About President Trump’s Plan To Take Over Gaza
BOMBSHELL: In Stunning Announcement, President Trump Says The U.S. Will Take Over Gaza, Relocate All Palestinians!
I am absolutely stunned right now as I write this....
We've been watching President Trump toy with pressure to acquire Greenland, to take back the Panama Canal and to make Canada the 51st state.
While all of that was happening, it turns out he had secretly put together a deal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip!
Trust me when I tell you NO ONE saw that coming!
BREAKING: President Trump says the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip.
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) February 5, 2025
This is absolutely stunning and historic and will change the course of history in the Middle East forever.
The details are still unfolding, but here's what we know so far....
President Trump himself just made the announcement while standing next to Benjamin Netanyahu:
"The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out. Create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."
BREAKING: President Trump just announced: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed… pic.twitter.com/dnoMKDSQFA
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 5, 2025
Here are more details from the NY Post:
President Trump proposed a US takeover of the Gaza Strip Tuesday night — shortly after suggesting removing “all” Palestinians living there.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings — level it out and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
Trump added that the roughly 2 million Gaza Strip residents would be relocated to neighboring countries in a transitional phase — and indicated they would not be granted the right of return afterward.
“Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” he said at the press conference.
Trump said he would deploy US troops to the territory “if it’s necessary.”
Trump said he would deploy US troops to the territory “if it’s necessary” and that he imagined “the world’s people” occupying an “international” zone that would be regarded as “the Riviera of the Middle East,” with some Palestinians permitted to resettle.
Netanyahu all but endorsed the idea, saying: “I think it’s something that could change history and it’s worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.”
Trump did not lay out a timeline for either the proposed US occupation or the relocation of Gaza’s residents.
ADVERTISEMENTHamas and Israel reached a cease-fire deal last month — after Trump threatened “hell” for the terrorist group if a deal to end fighting and release hostages was not inked before he took office on Jan. 20.
Longer video clip here:
JUST IN: President Trump says the United States is taking over the Gaza Strip as Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu listens.
"This is just a demolition site. Virtually every building is down. They're living under fallen concrete that's very dangerous."
"The US will take over the Gaza… pic.twitter.com/NGE7RlUwen
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 5, 2025
And from Fox News:
The U.S. will "take over the Gaza strip," level it and rebuild the area, President Donald Trump said during a press conference Tuesday evening after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too," Trump said Tuesday evening in a joint press conference with Netanyahu. "We'll own it, and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site."
"Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," he said. "Do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for 100 years."
Netanyahu is the first world leader to meet with Trump at the White House under his second administration.
When asked about taking over the Gaza Strip, Trump said he could see the U.S. in a "long term ownership position" of the piece of land, which would likely bring stability to the Middle East.
"I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East. And everybody I've spoken to — this was not a decision made lightly — everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land. Developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent in a really magnificent area that nobody would know. Nobody can look because all they see is death and destruction and rubble," Trump said.
The pair discussed the current ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and its future, Iran's grip on the Middle East and resettling Gaza residents in other nations.
"In our meetings today, the prime minister and I focused on the future, discussing how we can work together to ensure Hamas is eliminated and ultimately restore peace to a very troubled region. It's been troubled, but what's happened in the last four years has not been good," Trump said during the press conference.
Trump said that the Gaza Strip has become "a symbol of death and destruction for so many decades and so bad for the people anywhere near it."
"It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there," he added.
Everyone's heads are still spinning as they try to process this bombshell announcement, but here are Peter Doocey and Laura Ingraham processing live on the air:
Peter Doocey and Laura Ingraham react to President Trump's historic and stunning Gaza takeover news..... pic.twitter.com/E7psDR5s0U
— Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) February 5, 2025
MSDNC's Joy Reid had a complete meltdown.
I thought her head was going to explode:
MSNBC’s Joy Reid Struggles to Process Trump’s Jaw-Dropping Gaza Solution
Instead of her usual outrage, she seemed unsure whether to attack or acknowledge the strategy.
“A stunner. A stunner by any definition of the word.”
Here are the details:
• Trump proposed a complete… pic.twitter.com/cEI8m6iz0J
— Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) February 5, 2025
We'll continue to bring you more details as we have them.
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