With the death count over 1,200, thousands injured, over one hundred taken hostage, and soldiers on the front lines, the Israel-Hamas war is unparalleled in our generation. Horrifying pictures and videos of hostages, soldiers, victims, and those injured are circulating on social media and news sites. Much of this information is being distributed by Hamas and pro-Palestinian social media accounts with the abhorrent and traumatic goals of weakening the morale of Jews worldwide, and to show contempt to their victims. We anticipate that this disturbing material will only increase in the days to come, Hashem yeracheim, G-d forbid.
Please understand that exposure to this gruesome material can be extremely damaging emotionally. Therefore, anyone with social media accounts should refrain from using them, and to delete the apps from their phones to prevent seeing graphic images that can cause long-lasting psychological trauma. It is all the more incumbent upon us not to share these pictures or articles with our children.
While we never recommend that people should be on social media, at this time it is important to be especially vigilant. We request that anyone who sees any disturbing images not forward, share, or repost them in any way.
We call upon responsible news outlets to be sensitive to these concerns as they consider how they are covering the war in Gaza.
May our continued tefillos help bring a yeshuah.
Agudath Israel of America
Torah Umesorah
