Twitch announced that it now prohibits using the term “Zionist” to insult or denigrate people in an update to its Hateful Conduct policy.

 

“Starting today, using the term ‘Zionist’ to attack or demean another individual or group of people on the basis of their background or religious belief is against our rules,” Twitch said in its announcement.

 

“The language used to cause harm and spread hate changes over time,” Twitch stated. “To ensure our policies adapt to those changes, we review them and how they're applied to prevent those harms.”

 

Twitch has become a growing hub for political commentary, with creators often using the platform to debate sensitive topics. High-profile figures, including lawmakers and activists, have also turned to Twitch as a venue for political engagement, adding to the challenge of moderating such a dynamic space.

 

However, Twitch clarified that the policy does not ban all uses of the term. “Using the term to refer to the political movement, whether in a supportive or critical way, does not violate our Hateful Conduct policy,” the platform said.

 

This policy change follows a letter sent by US Representative Ritchie Torres to Twitch on November 4, alleging the platform had allowed antisemitic content to persist, specifically targeting Turkish-American streamer Hasan Piker who has been staunchly committed to the pro-Palestine movement and calls out others who support the Israeli Occupation.

 

Torres, who recently secured reelection in New York with over USD 500,000 in campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), accused Twitch of failing to address harmful stereotypes and tropes targeting Jewish individuals.

 

Twitch announced the policy adjustment just 11 days after receiving the letter.

 

Additionally, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which played a role in pressuring Twitch to ban several Arab streamers, has also taken credit for the platform's recent policy revision.

 

On X, ADL expressed approval of Twitch’s decision, stating, "We are glad Twitch acted on our recommendation to make this change."

 

The ADL's position on the matter is clear: the organization maintains that "anti-Zionists are antisemitic."

 

2/3 We are glad Twitch acted on our recommendation to make this change. However, policy is only as strong as enforcement, and we will be vigilant and appropriately skeptical about Twitch's enforcement of this new policy.

 

— ADL (@ADL) November 15, 2024

 - Broader context and industry trends -

This change mirrors actions taken by other platforms, such as Meta, which implemented similar restrictions earlier this year, citing the term “Zionist” being increasingly used as a stand-in for antisemitic attacks.

 

 - Policy changes spark debate -

The decision drew mixed reactions from Twitch users and advocacy groups.

 

Many have called out Twitch for "hypocrisy" as the platform has failed to address a recent Islamophobic incident by high-profile streamer Ethan Klein from the h3h3productions.

 

In a recent livestream, Klein played a game called "Twitch or Terrorist" where he placed an image of Piker next to an image of Osama bin Laden, comparing the two.

 

Ethan Klein comparing a Muslim anti war content creator @hasanthehun to Osama bin Laden. He got other Muslim and Jewish content creators banned for calling Sabra hummus the lowest tier commercial hummus because a lot of Israelis eat it... WTAH. pic.twitter.com/McrqpmZLXC

 

— cartman (@cutefeet1738) November 14, 2024

The incident left a bad taste in the mouths of many as Twitch's Hateful Content Policy favors and protects one group but not another.

 

Here are some online reactions:

 

zionist is now a bannable “slur” on twitch yeah this platforms cooked

 

— AverageHarry  (@harrynotaverage) November 15, 2024

Twitch updates its rules today to protect zionists or those who support the ideology of "zionism" from any criticism.

 

The SAME radical ideology which has led to the deaths of 100k+ Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/Zfub1mbTfj

 

— z (@zesqyb) November 15, 2024

Twitch is taking a political stance, suppressing freedom of speech, and silencing support for Palestinians who are enduring the devastating realities of an ongoing genocide 

 

They're not zionists btw, they're maniacal genocidal war criminals https://t.co/GLSul1WwMr pic.twitter.com/ldzIUSsBhq

 

—  (@lakkabrah) November 16, 2024

Twitch just declared the word “Zionist” a slur. You can no longer exist on twitch without being a literal sellout.

 

Oppose ongoing Palestinian genocide 

Scream like a monkey for mcdonalds  pic.twitter.com/wOhjwDaRwl

 

— SNEAKO (@sneako) November 15, 2024

Nobody uses zionist as a slur nor does it qualify as one.

All @Twitch/@TwitchSupport/@djclancy999 did was make it company policy to apologize for imperial genocide and suppress the voices of its victims and their advocates. This is fascism and you all are a joke.  https://t.co/EZ1EaHHEON pic.twitter.com/bB7JqT12P8

 

— Bakes (@2bakes) November 15, 2024

More inconsistent governance from twitch, by banning streamers from using Zionist as a personal critique, while allowing streamers to critique the political movement and policies… destiny, Ethan Klein, asmongold organizing off platform complaint campaigns to censor everyone https://t.co/OnnQPResr5 pic.twitter.com/12J6DSBsBm

 

— Brandon C Harris, PhD #aoir2024 (@Harris216) November 15, 2024

By flagging "Zionist" as a slur, Twitch conflates Zionism with Jewish identity, erasing dissent and diversity among Jews.

 

This stifles criticism of a political ideology during a time in which an ethnic cleansing is being carried out in Zionism’s name. https://t.co/pZodvZQ37M