In a recent development, political commentator Candace Owens revealed that her YouTube channel has been temporarily suspended by the streaming service. Owens alleged that her channel was flagged by "Zionists" due to an interview she conducted with rapper Kanye West last month. YouTube confirmed the suspension and cited violations of their policies, including hate speech, as the reason behind the decision.

Owens, who has faced criticism from the Anti-Defamation League for promoting antisemitic tropes, expressed her frustration on her social media platform. She mentioned that her channel had received a strike and a one-week suspension for the interview with Kanye West. Additionally, YouTube had demonetized her account, which boasts 2.4 million followers.

According to Owens, the interview was removed from her channel under the label of "hate speech" and was mass-reported by individuals she referred to as Zionists. This incident follows Owens' departure from the Daily Wire earlier this year, after an argument with co-founder Ben Shapiro regarding Israel and antisemitism.

A screenshot shared by Owens displayed an email from YouTube, stating that the interview violated their hate speech policies. The email also mentioned that the video contained claims that Jewish people control the media. While the interview was conducted on August 7, YouTube's decision came after a social media campaign to de-platform Owens gained traction in recent weeks.

Owens defended the content of the interview, stating that it portrayed Kanye West as calm and filled with love, discussing the unity needed to combat evil in the world. She suggested a connection between the cancellation of her YouTube channel and a recent debate she had with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Piers Morgan's television show.

Responding to the suspension, Owens expressed confidence in her role as a targeted figure, claiming she had not previously received any strikes on her YouTube Creators account. She emphasized that she had now experienced three consecutive content removals and had been fully demonetized.

YouTube confirmed Owens' suspension and cited repeated violations of their policies, including their Advertiser-Friendly Guidelines and Community Guidelines. As a result, Owens will no longer be able to monetize her YouTube channel. The streaming service also stated that Owens can reapply for access in 90 days.

It is worth noting that Kanye West himself has faced suspensions on various social media platforms due to his repetition of antisemitic remarks, including perpetuating stereotypes about Jews controlling the entertainment industry and blaming a Jewish doctor for inadequate medical treatment. Owens has come to the defense of West and other far-right figures accused of making antisemitic comments, such as Nick Fuentes.

The suspension of Candace Owens' YouTube channel has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of social media platforms in monitoring and addressing hate speech and promoting a safe online environment.