Twitch has updated its hate speech policy to explicitly prohibit using the term "Zionist" in a harmful or derogatory manner. While the term can still be used in a political context—such as discussing Zionism as a political movement advocating for a Jewish state—it is banned when used to attack or demean individuals or groups. For example, referring to someone as a "Zionist [animal]" would be against Twitch's rules, but discussing political issues like "Zionist settlers encroaching on Palestinian borders" is still allowed. The policy aims to prevent coded hate speech while not restricting legitimate political discussions
This change follows recommendations from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) after incidents involving Arab streamers at TwitchCon, and reflects the platform's broader effort to combat hate speech and maintain a balanced approach to controversial topics