On July 27, 2012, MEMRI published its Inquiry and Analysis No. 863, "Designated Terrorist Organization Hizbullah Makes Extensive Use Of U.S. Social Media – Apple iTunes, iPad and iPhone, Google, Android, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter – In Violation Of U.S. Law," (Designated Terrorist Organization Hizbullah Makes Extensive Use Of U.S. Social Media – Apple iTunes, iPad and iPhone, Google, Android, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter – In Violation Of U.S. Law).
Following the publication of the report, Hizbullah's Web presence was significantly reduced: its Facebook pages were deleted, its app for the Apple iPhone and iPad Apple was removed from iTunes, and its Android app was removed from Google Play.
Despite MEMRI's repeated notification of Twitter that they are hosting multiple active Hizbullah accounts, in violation of U.S. law, no response has been received. MEMRI has also flagged Hizbullah videos on YouTube, and notified them by letter, yet those videos and the Hizbullah pages are still active. Both Twitter and YouTube are continuing to violate U.S. law.
Twitter, Inc. can be contacted at 1355 Market St, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103; their press inquiries email address is press@twitter.com. YouTube, LLC can be contacted at 901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066, 650-253-0000; their press inquiries email address is press@youtube.com.
Hizbullah – A U.S. Government Designated FTO And SDGT
The Lebanese-based Shi'ite terrorist organization Hizbullah was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 11, 2005 by the U.S. State Department. It was previously designated an FTO in 1999, but the designation was rescinded in 2001, after it denounced the 9/11 attacks.
Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV was separately designated a SDGT by the U.S. State Department on March 23, 2006, due to the fact that it was "owned or controlled by the Iran-funded Hizbullah terrorist network," having been placed on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations in 2004. On March 23, 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department likewise designated Al-Manar separately as a global terrorist entity, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, citing earlier U.S. laws against Al-Manar which it called "the media arm of Hizbullah."
Hizbullah and Al-Manar on Facebook – Removed
Hizbullah's "community" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Hezb.alaah) has been removed by Facebook and no longer exists.
Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/almanartv.info) has been removed by Facebook and no longer exists.
Al-Manar Android App On Google Play – Removed
The page for Al-Manar TV's Android application on Google Play (www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=lb.com.almanartv) has been removed by Google and no longer exists.
Al-Manar App on iTunes – Removed
Apple has informed MEMRI that the page for Al-Manar TV's app for the Apple iPhone and iPad (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/almanartv/id544607498?ls=1&mt=8) has been removed and is no longer available via iTunes.
Al-Manar On YouTube – Still Active
As mentioned, MEMRI contacted YouTube to inform them of Hizbullah's presence on its website, and has flagged videos on Hizbullah YouTube pages – the Al-Manar TV page, www.youtube.com/user/AlManarTube?feature=watch and the older Al-Manar TV Channel page www.youtube.com/user/sayednasrallah1/featured. However, as of this writing, all the clips remain active and both pages are still functioning – and YouTube is in violation of U.S. law. The most recent clip was added 13 hours ago – as of the release of this report.
Hizbullah's Al-Manar Twitter Account – Still Active
As mentioned, MEMRI has contacted Twitter to inform them of Hizbullah's extremely active Twitter account, www.twitter.com/almanarnews. However, as of this writing, the account is still functioning – and Twitter is in violation of U.S. law. The latest tweet was sent 27 minutes ago – as of the release of this report.
