Thousands of signatories call on Facebook to reconsider hate speech policy RAMALLAH, Sunday, January 31, 2021 (WAFA) – Hundreds of activists, intellectuals and artists have launched an open letter calling on Facebook to ensure that any amendments to its hate speech policy keep all people safe and connected. The petition was signed by at least 15,000 people until Thursday. Notable human rights activists and cultural figures such as Hanan Ashrawi, Norita Cortiñas, Wallace Shawn and Peter Gabriel have signed the petition, which notes that if Facebook restricts the usage of the word “Zionist,” it would prevent Palestinians from talking about their daily lives, shield the Israeli government from accountability for human rights violations, and do nothing to make Jewish people safer from anti-Semitism.