Description
I want this abstract to be considered for the panel "Anticolonial Solidarities and Resistance"- 'This research critically examines the multifaceted repression experienced by Palestinians and other individuals or collectives within the European Union (EU) who oppose Israel’s settler-colonial actions in the online space, particularly following the events of October 7th, 2023. Accused of “supporting terrorism,” these individuals face heightened scrutiny and censorship under EU regulations aimed at combatting “terrorist content” online. This study interrogates the politicized framing of terrorism within the EU’s regulatory framework, especially within the Digital Services Act and Regulation (EU) 2021/784. The analysis highlights the weaponization of the term "terrorism" to delegitimize resistance movements and critique of Israel’s policies, exacerbating the marginalization of Palestinian voices. By examining the operationalization of these laws, including the issuance of Removal Orders (ROs), the research emphasizes how these frameworks disproportionately target content related to Palestinian human rights, conflating legitimate resistance with terrorism. The study further explores the broader consequences of these measures, particularly the chilling effect on free speech, political participation, and the risks to professional livelihoods. It concludes by highlighting the broader implications of EU content moderation practices for freedom of expression, urging a reconsideration of the international and domestic politics shaping the definitions of “terrorism” and the mechanisms of online repression.'
