‘Now that Elon is taking over’: Online antisemites see opening as Twitter is handed over to Musk

(JTA) — On-line extremists emboldened by Kanye West’s latest antisemitic diatribes and by Elon Musk’s pledge to loosen content material moderation insurance policies on Twitter after taking management of the social media platform this week have launched a brand new hashtag marketing campaign concentrating on Jews. 

“Now that Elon is taking on Twitter it’s time to lastly put our abilities to make use of,” wrote an nameless consumer on 4chan, the hate-filled on-line discussion board. “There will likely be most chaos at Twitter over the subsequent 48 hours so now’s our time to strike whereas the iron is scorching.”

The 4chan consumer known as on others to make use of the hashtag #TheNoticing whereas posting antisemitic content material on Twitter, particularly messages harping on the Nazi-inspired concept that Jews management the world via hidden machinations. 

The ensuing wave of hateful content material on Twitter over the previous two days was highlighted by actor Seth Rogen, who’s Jewish. He tweeted concerning the hashtag marketing campaign to his 9.4 million followers on Friday. 

“Anybody wish to see how a lot anti-semitism is prospering proper now, simply examine the hashtag #TheNoticing,” Rogen wrote.

Rogen quickly deleted the tweet, maybe as a result of many Jewish customers have argued, together with this week, that pointing to tweets by antisemites serves to amplify their hateful message.

Given Twitter’s significance as a worldwide social media platform utilized by world leaders, media figures, and celebrities, Musk’s takeover of the corporate is being carefully watched. Many within the Jewish world are bracing specifically for modifications that might result in the additional unfold of racist and antisemitic concepts on-line.

The top of the Anti-Defamation League mentioned Musk’s willingness to welcome Kanye West, the rapper who was suspended this month for antisemitic posts, again to the platform was worrisome. 

“We’re involved that Mr. Musk’s acquisition of Twitter might speed up what ADL has seen repeatedly: the pushing out of marginalized communities from social media,” CEO Jonathan Greenblatt mentioned in an announcement Friday. 

Musk engendered controversy within the lead-up to his acquisition of the corporate when he vowed to finish what he sees as practices of censorship on the platform. In a message to traders, Thursday, nonetheless, he appeared to melt his stance. He mentioned that free speech wanted to be balanced with guidelines that might guarantee Twitter is “heat and welcoming to all.”

Musk mentioned his purpose was to “have a standard digital city sq., the place a variety of beliefs may be debated in a wholesome method.” He added that Twitter “can’t change into a free-for-all hellscape, the place something may be mentioned with no penalties!” 

Nonetheless, some Twitter customers, together with Jewish ones, mentioned they’re planning to depart the platform or at the very least that they anticipate it to change into much less hospitable or nice for them. 

“Ugh. This place is gonna change into a hotbed of hate, particularly antisemitism,” wrote consumer Ari Solomon with a hyperlink to a information article about Musk’s takeover.