Meta drops the Hammer: terror-linked influencer 'Mr. FAFO' banned from Instagram

With a massive following of 5.5 million on Instagram, Al Jafarawi had become one of the most influential propagandists during the Israel-Hamas conflict, regularly praising Hamas and glorifying the October 7 massacre. His accounts were a hub for spreading terror-related content, which Meta has now taken action to remove.

Rise to Prominence and Shift in Tone

Al Jafarawi first gained attention with his videos celebrating the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed, and hundreds were taken hostage. However, his tone shifted dramatically as the conflict progressed, especially with Israel’s counteroffensive. His posts began showing him crying and expressing fear for his life, earning him the infamous nickname “Mr. FAFO” (F* Around and Find Out). Despite presenting himself as a journalist, Al Jafarawi was deeply embedded in Gazan propaganda, participating in numerous staged videos, often referred to as “Pallywood” by critics, in which he assumed various roles like:

Though many called for his deplatforming, Al Jafarawi’s social media presence remained strong until Meta made the final decision to shut down both of his accounts, preventing him from spreading Hamas-aligned content on Instagram.

Controversial Claims and the ‘Martyr’ Title

Adding to the controversy, Al Jafarawi’s profile on the website OurGaza lists him as a “martyr,” despite no recorded date of death. The profile claims he was killed during an Israeli raid on Al-Shifa Hospital, a Hamas stronghold disguised as a civilian medical facility. However, Al Jafarawi continued to post on social media after his supposed death, raising doubts about the accuracy of his claims. In a now-deleted post on X/Twitter, he boasted about sitting on the same couch where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was allegedly “martyred.”

Meta’s Crackdown on Terrorist Propaganda

Meta’s removal of Al Jafarawi’s accounts reflects a broader push to eliminate terrorist propaganda from its platform. Under its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations Policy, Meta removes accounts that promote or support designated terror groups. This action is a significant blow to Hamas’s influence online, as Al Jafarawi’s reach and impact were immense. Though his supporters may attempt to resurrect his presence on alternative platforms, Meta’s decision sends a clear message of zero tolerance for terror-linked influencers.

For Mr. FAFO, it appears the consequences of his actions have finally caught up with him.