End
Disinformation
Stop Disinformation Online
Get to know your own social media feed
Social media platforms deliver information based on what you stop to read, engage with, and share. Disinformation targets us based on these behaviours, and what the algorithms decide you should see.
Be critical of your information sources.
Think about whether or not the information you’re reading is timely and accurate. Is it from a credible source? Seek out reputable sources of information that offer points of view that differ from your own, and you’ll begin to see that information show up in your social media feeds and news feeds organically.
Think before you share.
If you think that a post seems too sensational or extreme to be true, it probably is. By not sharing, you’re stopping the flow of disinformation.
What you might hear. And why it’s a problem.
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What you might hear: Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
Why this is a problem: Genocide is the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Israel’s fighting since Oct. 7, 2023 has been in self-defence, in accordance with international law.
Israel targets military assets (armed combatants, rocket launchers, terrorist headquarters, and other such infrastructure) not civilians, some of whom are tragically caught in the crossfire, especially when used by Hamas as human shields.
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What you might hear: Israel is a white European settler colonial state
Why this is a problem: The Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel.
Archeological discoveries are concrete evidence of a Jewish presence in the land of Israel for more than 3,000 years.
Jews began returning to their homeland in the mid 19th century and today most Israeli Jews come from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia – neither “white” nor European.
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What you might hear: I’m not antisemitic, I’m just antizionist.
Why this is a problem: Zionism is simply the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral and historic homeland. Jewish history in the region dates back over 3,500 years with a continued presence since the second millennium Before Common Era (BCE). It is convenient for those who don’t want Israel to exist to use this argument to mask their antisemitism.
A just and lasting peace includes recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
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What you might hear: Israel is an apartheid state.
Why this is a problem: Israel is, in fact, the only democracy in the Middle East, where all citizens have equal rights regardless of gender, religion, race or sexual orientation. This is true for Arab Israelis, who make up 21% of Israel’s population. Apartheid was the opposite: it was a racist, repressive system by which South Africa’s white minority enforced its domination, through a framework of racist legislation, over black and other non-white racial groups.
Like every country, Israel faces challenges like bias and inequity in its institutions and society. However, using the false label of apartheid is one of the ways people attempt to delegitimize its existence and erode understanding between parties.
A just and lasting peace includes a desire for dialogue and understanding to resolve the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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What you might hear: Hamas are freedom fighters.
Why this is a problem: Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by Canada, and many other countries, for over 20 years. (reinsert link). Hamas’ stated purpose is the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews. They had fired tens of thousands of rockets at Israel even before the horrific attacks of October 7th, while using Gazan civilians as human shields.
A just and lasting peace is only possible if Hamas is no longer able to harm Israelis and Palestinians.