What It’s About

Instagram has taken down a Pro-Israel campaign initiated by Benjamin Giarmon, titled “Where were your eyes on October 7”, which served as a counter-response to the viral “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign targeting Israel’s actions in southern Gaza.

Why It Matters

This event underscores ongoing tensions and challenges Israeli voices face on global social media platforms, especially when countering widely-publicized, anti-Israel narratives. It raises questions about narrative control and bias on social media channels that have significant influence over public opinion.

Key Players

The original campaign “All Eyes on Rafah” achieved 42 million shares among high-profile celebrities like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Mark Ruffalo, Jenna Ortega, and many others. In response, numerous Israeli public figures like Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Ben El Tavori, Ruslana Rodina, and Eyal Golan took part in promoting the counter-campaign.

The Pro-Israel Campaign

The counter-campaign highlighted harrowing images, including one of an armed Hamas terrorist in front of a small, red-haired baby, referencing one-year-old Kfir Bibas, who, along with his family, has been held hostage by Hamas since October 7. This campaign powerfully implored viewers with the caption, “If your eyes are on Rafah, help us find our hostages,” drawing stark attention to the human cost for Israelis.

The Consequences

Following the creation and dissemination of this pro-Israel message, Benjamin Giarmon’s Instagram account was blocked, and the content was removed from the platform. This blocking adds a layer of controversy over the moderation practices of social media conglomerates, particularly regarding sensitive conflicts involving Israel.

Despite these setbacks, the Israeli response campaign managed to garner nearly 400,000 shares, a significant achievement reflecting the resilience and dedication of Israeli advocates and supporters.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.