YouTube Deletes Over 700 Videos Documenting Israeli Human Rights Violations

In early October 2025, YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, deleted over 700 videos that documented alleged human rights violations by Israel against Palestinians. This action was taken quietly and involved the removal of accounts belonging to three prominent Palestinian human rights organizations: Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. The deletions were part of a broader response to U.S. government sanctions aimed at these organizations.

Key Details

The videos that were removed included a range of content, such as a documentary focusing on mothers enduring the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, an investigative piece on the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and footage highlighting the destruction of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank. These videos served as critical documentation of alleged violations of international law by the Israeli government, including the killing of Palestinian civilians.

YouTube confirmed to The Intercept that the deletions were a direct result of sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department against the organizations. These sanctions were enacted in September 2025 during the Trump administration, targeting the groups due to their collaboration with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigations concerning potential war crimes committed by Israeli officials.

The deleted content encompassed various forms of media, including investigative reports, personal testimonies from Palestinians who claimed to have been tortured by Israeli forces, and documentaries such as "The Beach," which depicted children who were killed by an Israeli airstrike while playing on a beach. The scope of the deleted videos illustrates the extensive documentation these organizations provided regarding the ongoing conflict and humanitarian issues in the region.

While the official channels of these organizations were wiped from YouTube, some of the videos remain accessible through alternative platforms, including Facebook and Vimeo, as well as through archived copies saved on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. However, a comprehensive index of the deleted videos is not available, and many of the videos may not be retrievable elsewhere online.

Background

The actions taken by YouTube have raised concerns regarding censorship and the suppression of information related to human rights violations. The Palestinian groups had been utilizing their YouTube channels to raise awareness and document the experiences of Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict. The deletion of their content aligns with broader trends of increasing scrutiny and regulation of online platforms regarding political content, particularly in sensitive geopolitical contexts.

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Impact

The removal of these videos not only limits the visibility of alleged human rights violations but also raises questions about the role of social media platforms in moderating content related to political and humanitarian issues. As previously reported, similar situations have arisen in various contexts, leading to debates about freedom of expression and the responsibilities of tech companies in managing user-generated content.

As the situation evolves, the implications of these deletions may lead to further discussions on the accountability of social media platforms and their influence on public discourse surrounding international human rights issues.

For more on related coverage, see our article on the Heritage Foundation"s Anti-Semitism Task Force.