In her address hosted in Tel Aviv University, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked called on companies such as Google and Facebook to do a great deal more to remove content that encourages terrorism. The senior minster explains that internet companies have totally or in part, complied with 80% of requests from Israeli state officials to remove content supporting terrorism.

She laments how public security is compromised due to inciters exploiting social media. Shaked explained that when the terror wave began back in October of 2015, seven of first ten terrorists who perpetrated attacks were influenced by social media.

Shaked added that the inter-ministerial task force operating in the State Attorney’s Office Cyber Department filed 1,800 requests to remove content of which, 1,400 were removed. She is now working with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, promoting a bill that will permit issuing a judicial order to compel the removal of inciteful content. She stressed the importance of maintaining a constant presence in the cyber community, monitoring social media and acting to remove inciteful material to prevent its unwanted influence on society.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)