Elon Musk Explains Why He Suspended Hamas From X
Commenting on the decision of banning Hamas X account, Elon Musk, SpaceX founder, on Tuesday called it as a ‘tough call’. “This was a tough call,” Elon Musk wrote on X replying to a user who enquired the reason behind the ban of Palestinian militant group from the X platform.
Musk elaborated the reason behind the ban, stating that “while many government leaders, including in the USA, do call for killing people, we have a “UN exemption rule”; if a government is recognized by the UN, we will not suspend their accounts”.
This was a tough call.
While many government leaders, including in the USA, do call for killing people, we have a “UN exemption rule”; if a government is recognized by the UN, we will not suspend their accounts.
Hamas is not recognized as a government by the UN, so was…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2024
He added that Hamas is not recognised as a government by the United Nations, so hence took the decision to suspend the account.
Many has come criticising Musk’s decision for violating the principle of freedom of speech and expression.
Musk revealed the reason behind the decision while replying to a social media influencer, Jackson Hinkle.
In the following post, Jackson in reply to the Tesla CEO’s comment, wrote, “I understand the rule, but I don”t understand why it”s only being applied to PALESTINIAN accounts. Here are a few examples of pro-Israeli accounts that have not been held accountable for violating the same rule,” pointing out few accounts spreading hate against the innocent Gazan civilians.
I understand the rule, but I don”t understand why it”s only being applied to PALESTINIAN accounts. Here are a few examples of pro-Israeli accounts that have not been held accountable for violating the same rule. pic.twitter.com/lA7WWivYTP
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) January 9, 2024
Agreeing to the comment, Musk said that the suspension of the account is temporary and they are reluctant to have permanent suspensions. He wrote, “In general, suspension should be even-handed”. But this decision was taken alleging that Hamas has called for extinction of Israel, he added.
Users came backlashing at Musk’s remark on Hamas pointing out that many pro-Israeli account calling for genocide are only given temporary suspensions and some are not suspended at all.
“If you want to use the UN as your moral standard, then you should also note that the UN does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. Therefore, if we use X”s “UN exception rule”, Hamas isn”t a terrorist organization and should be allowed on X,” another user commented.
