YouTube reinstates antisemitism campaigner’s account after mistaken suspension
David Collier saw his YouTube channel 'Beyond the great divide' suspended by YouTube after it was mistaken for hate speech
YouTube has reinstated the channel of leading antisemitism researcher and campaigner David Collier after it was mistaken for hate speech.
The platform announced a ban this week on videos promoting Holocaust denial or white supremacy, including content thought to promote or glorify Nazi ideology.
Collier took to Twitter earlier today after YouTube informed him that his channel, called Beyond the great divide, was banned for containing hate speech.
His channel, which has over 200 subscribers, spans some 89 videos, which all contain footage and images of alleged antisemitism in the UK.
It’s like a virus. YouTube have now banned my YT channel for ‘hate-speech’ – probably because as a fighter against #antisemitism– I share examples of it. It’s so hurtful. hours & hours of unique – irreplaceable footage gone. Oh the antisemites are dancing today! @TeamYouTube
— David Collier (@mishtal) June 6, 2019
“It’s like a virus,” Collier wrote. “YouTube have now banned my YT channel for ‘hate-speech’ – probably because as a fighter against #antisemitism I share examples of it.”
“It’s so hurtful. Hours and hours of unique – irreplaceable footage gone. Oh the antisemites are dancing today,” he continued.
But the anti-racism activist received an email from the platform later today informing him that his account had been reinstated and found not to be in violation of its terms of service.
Before Collier’s channel was reinstated, Mark Gardner from the Community Security Trust, described the suspension as “appalling”, adding that YouTube still “host countless examples of real racism, Jew-hatred and incitement.”
YouTube has been contacted for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
