Controversial Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King — who had claimed he aided in the release of two US citizens that were kidnapped by Hamas and has accused Israel of genocide — had his Instagram account blocked Monday.
King, who has 6 million followers on the Meta-owned site, posted a video message through a friend’s Instagram account announcing he was deactivated by the social media platform.
King condemned what he called “genocide” and “war crimes” committed by Israel in its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which was launched in retaliation after Hamas terrorists killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted about 250 on Oct. 7.
“Frustrated that Instagram has banned me for fighting for Palestine, and speaking up for the human rights and dignity of Palestinians, but I refuse to betray my values and principles by staying silent about this genocide and the war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank,” King wrote in the early morning hours.
King has repeatedly bashed Israel for invading the Gaza Strip and shared Hamas propaganda videos claiming the hostages were being treated well.
It is unclear what King posted that prompted Instagram to ban him.
Facebook, another social media platform owned by Meta, has kept King’s account active as of Monday.
The Post has sought comment from Meta and King.
On his X account, King has reposted content critical of Israel, though he has not written any posts to his more than 1 million followers.
In late October, King was accused of fabricating claims that he played a role in the release of two Americans who were freed from Hamas captivity.
The 44-year-old King appeared to take credit for the release of Natalie Raanan, 17, and her mother, Judith Tai Raanan, who were taken hostage and held captive by Hamas for nearly two weeks.
“First and foremost, we make it clear that he is lying! Our family does not and did not have anything to do with him, neither directly nor indirectly. Not to him and not to anything he claims to represent,” Raanan family members wrote in a statement.
Separately, King has come under fire for spending lavishly on homes and security despite his reputation as being a champion of the poor and disenfranchised.
In 2021, King moved from a luxury two-bedroom apartment in downtown Brooklyn to a five-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home in North Brunswick, NJ, according to public records.
King has been dogged for years by allegations of shady dealings in his charitable efforts in movements he has founded — including a lack of transparency in money he has raised for several criminal justice initiatives he has backed.