The Bias Against Israel on Wikipedia

Key Findings:

Wikipedia was launched in 2001 as a free, online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteers. Since then, it has consistently been one of the most-visited websites on the internet, with over 60 million articles across all 329 language editions and well over 1 billion edits. Wikipedia changed the concept of knowledge, enabling easy access to, and the ability to participate in, the production of knowledge. Wikipedia’s core editorial policy is to maintain a “neutral point of view.” It is governed by the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization established in 2003.

This report was written from an understanding of Wikipedia’s importance and the central place it occupies as a provider of information to millions of people worldwide. Moreover, the information on Wikipedia is referenced in many other sources of information, such as online forums and discussions, educational materials, and other websites and blogs. It is also used to feed large language models and Generative AI, which crucially enables the widespread distribution of its content as knowledge to the general public. 

Maintaining neutrality in Wikipedia becomes difficult when dealing with topics related to politics and other sensitive matters. Following the attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in Israel, contributors, editors, and users of Wikipedia noticed an increased bias in the entries related to the assault and the ensuing war against Hamas in Gaza. 

This report aims to examine this bias in English-language Wikipedia pages. Attempts to erase articles and problematic terminology are reviewed. Interviews and conversations with site editors reveal allegations of unfair treatment by administrators, bureaucrats, and senior editors, which include being treated in a hostile and disrespectful manner. 

Finally, recommendations are presented for the changes necessary to promote the values of neutrality and equality on which Wikipedia was founded. These recommendations include institutionalization of bias research in Wikipedia; actions with stewards, admins, and bureaucrats of Wikipedia; policy changes; and neutrality enforcement mechanisms. 

In a broader context, this report serves as a call to action for legislators, regulators, and users to notice bias and the subsequent ill effects created through a wide range of internet platforms beyond social media.