Iran Bans WhatsApp Over ‘American Zionist’ Zuckerberg
Image by Getty Images
Iran has banned the free text-messaging service WhatsApp, since it is owned by a Jew, according to news reports citing an Iranian censor.
“The reason for this is the assumption of WhatsApp by the Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is an American Zionist,” said Abdolsamad Khorramabadi, head of the country’s secretary of the Committee for Determining Criminal Web Content, Fox News reported Sunday.
WhatsApp was acquired in February by Facebook for a reported $19 billion in cash and stock.
Zuckerberg is Facebook’s founder and chief executive.
Facebook currently is not banned in Iran, and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has been active in recent months on Facebook and Twitter.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
