Twitter temporarily locked an Israeli war reporter out of his account on Sunday over a video showing Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting rockets from The Gaza Strip, which the platform falsely labeled as “revenge porn.”
According to Times of Israel reporter Emanuel Fabian, the video showing Israel defending itself against rockets launched from Gaza was restored after he appealed the suspension, but his account remained locked for 12 hours.
“Twitter decided that a video of the Iron Dome intercepting rockets was revenge porn and locked my account for 12 hours,” Times of Israel reporter Emanuel Fabian tweeted after the suspension was lifted. “After appealing they restored the video but didn’t unlock my account. Incredible.”
Moshe Schwartz, a reporter for Yeshiva World News, tweeted a screenshot of the message Fabian received from Twitter notifying him of the suspension. In the message, Twitter accuses Fabian of “violating our rules against posting or sharing privately produced/distributed intimate media of someone without their express consent.”
“Twitter has locked @manniefabian out of his account. Mannie is one of the most important sources of information on the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel,” Moshe Schwartz tweeted.
Fabian posted the video just after noon eastern time on Sunday, Aug. 7.
“Footage shows rockets being launched from the Gaza Strip and being intercepted by the Iron Dome. (Video: Aviad Cohen, חמ”ל דרום),” he tweeted with the Iron Dome footage.
In the wake of Sunday’s attacks, the two Middle Eastern nations agreed to a ceasefire. The decision was praised by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“The United States welcomes the agreement today to bring an end to hostilities and restore calm in Gaza and Israel. The agreement will bring a welcome respite to Israeli and Palestinian civilians and permit deliveries of critical fuel and other supplies into Gaza. We express our condolences to the families of civilians who lost their lives or were injured,” Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken said the Biden administration is “deeply grateful” for Egypt’s efforts in helping to facilitate the agreement, and also praised Qatar, UN Special Envoy Wennesland, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority for their roles in the positive outcome.
“The United States remains dedicated to our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and will remain fully engaged in the days ahead to promote calm,” he added. “We will continue in the months ahead to work with partners to improve the quality of life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy.”
