TikTok Intifada: How Social Media Fuels a New Wave of Antisemitism
After October 7, I Took a Stand for Israel—And Social Media Turned Against Me
Over 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists in a single day on October 7, 2023. However, a Harvard/Harris poll conducted a few weeks later revealed that 51% of young Americans (those between the ages of 18 and 24) thought those attacks were justified. This startling statistic is a warning sign: Israel was losing a parallel war for hearts and minds online while fighting Hamas on the ground. Emotionally charged anti-Israel content went viral on social media sites like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), drowning the facts and nuances in a wave of visceral propaganda. A digital intifada driven by algorithms, tribal identity politics, and disinformation has resulted in a spike in antisemitism and anti-Western narratives that demands immediate attention.
Nothing engages people more than outrage, which is social media's secret sauce. Recommendation algorithms used by TikTok and X are carefully tuned to optimize user attention, usually by amplifying the most divisive and emotionally charged content. This has meant that, regardless of their truth, videos that provoke shock, rage, or tears can go viral on TikTok in a matter of minutes. Rep. Mike Gallagher notes that the Chinese-owned app presents "addictive, brain-numbing nonsense (at best) and dangerous propaganda (at worst)" and that its algorithm is "exquisitely tuned to prioritize polarizing outrage." The version given to young people in the West is a digital Wild West of uncensored extremes, in contrast to China, where TikTok's sister app limits material to educational material . Because fury equals clicks, this algorithmic design clearly favors content that divides people.
A similar dynamic holds on X. Engagement became essential with Elon Musk's takeover and the reversal of moderation. Research indicates that antisemitic content doubled on the network and remained as visible and engaging as before, despite Musk's own pledge to "deboost" offensive remarks. Although X's feed is supposed to curb hate, in reality, its "algorithmic architecture...continues to prioritize engagement over quality content," which means that divisive posts continue to circulate extensively. As a result, whether intentionally or not, the algorithms on both platforms tend to favor posts that are emotional and accusatory, which is exactly the type of content that demonizes Jews and Israel. In the wake of October 7, a recent study from Indiana University highlighted "the role of social media algorithms in amplifying accusatory content against Israel." Briefly put, the mechanisms designed to keep us glued to our screens have become force multipliers for hatred and propaganda.
Since the Hamas attack, these engagement-hungry algorithms have resulted in an upsurge of antisemitic and anti-Western rubbish that has spread virally. On TikTok, pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel hashtags far outnumbered pro-Israel hashtags. By late October, videos branded #StandWithPalestine got approximately 3 billion views, compared to only 200 million for #StandWithIsrael. According to a former software executive, TikTok's algorithm "became aggressively anti-Israel," thereby telling him to consider Israel as the wicked side. He added that the TikTok engagement cycle promotes an anti-Israel narrative among creators. He discovered that generating anti-Israel content encourages creators to support that narrative and increases their popularity. In other words, users are driven to spread anti-Israel propaganda since it is the most effective way to gain views and followers.
Even more alarming is the nature of much of the viral content. Some are blatantly antisemitic or violent. During the war, neo-Nazi propaganda and calls to destroy Israel were frequently shared on TikTok. The phrase "Hitler was right" - a traditional motif of homicidal Jew-hatred - has risen dramatically on social media. In a single year, the statement was posted over 2,600 times, reaching an estimated 1.8 million users, with a peak during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Such slogans, as well as conspiracy theories like Holocaust denial or "Holohoax" slurs, have resurfaced online. One study indicated that only 9% of Arabic-language Holocaust hate posts were removed from social platforms, compared to 35% of English posts, exposing moderation gaps that allow antisemitic bile to propagate.
Critically, this hatred is not limited to Israel; it frequently bleeds into anti-Western propaganda. In Arab social media, antisemitism has become a symbol of opposition to the US and Western civilization as a whole, not simply Israel. Classic antisemitic tropes about Jewish control or evil are repurposed to show the West as complicit in Israel's alleged atrocities. Russian and Chinese state media highlight tales of Western hypocrisy, perpetuating the notion that support for Israel reveals the West's colonial and imperialist roots. All of this creates a perfect storm on sites like TikTok and X: Israel is portrayed as the Middle East's mini-"West" and is colonial, white, and repressive - and hence fair game for uncontrolled hate.
The effect has been tangible. As the amount of antisemitic content on the internet increased, so did the number of actual instances. In the 17 days following October 7, the UK had a 641% increase in antisemitic occurrences (600 cases, including online harassment) compared to the same period the previous year. Antisemitic charges in London also increased by around 1,300% within the first two weeks of the war. The online fire of hatred is driving actual threats on the ground. The Anti-Defamation League and other monitors also recorded extraordinary levels of anti-Jewish harassment and speech worldwide following the Hamas attack. It's as if the floodgates of antisemitism have opened online, with radical views that were formerly hidden in dark corners have become commonplace through viral trends and memes.
Why has so much of Generation Z evidently adopted the anti-Israel rhetoric spreading online? A large part of the answer can be found in tribal identity politics, which is an increasing tendency among young people to view global crises through a simple lens of oppressors vs. oppressed, villains vs. victims. In the social justice ethos that dominates many youth subcultures, Palestinians are easily depicted as the "people of color" weaklings, and Israel (and its Western allies) as the "white" colonial oppressors. This framing draws on domestic American discussions about race, power, and privilege, effectively transferring local issues onto a distant battle. According to a certain study, "Gen Z and Millennials often project domestic American issues (e.g., racism, colonialism) onto Israel, viewing it through a distorted moral lens." In this distorted lens, decades of complex history is simplified into a familiar morality play: Israel is portrayed as a foreign occupier, similar to a South African apartheid regime or a Jim Crow-era tyrant, while Hamas (or "Palestinian resistance") is compared to Black Lives Matter or anti-colonial freedom fighters. It's an emotionally charged narrative for young people who are eager to support any perceived victim.
The result? Young people's sympathies have shifted significantly. Polling indicates a large generational split in attitudes toward the conflict. While older Americans strongly support Israel's response to terror, the majority of young individuals do not. The Harvard/Harris survey, conducted shortly after Oct. 7, is particularly eye-opening: 51% of US 18-24 year-olds believed Hamas' violent attacks were acceptable. In comparison, Americans over the age of 65 showed almost no support for Hamas. Other polls suggest that young Americans are much less supportive of Israel's actions or U.S aid to Israel than their elders.
This age gap is largely due to social media. Gen Z consumes news and creates ideas in fundamentally different ways, using TikTok feeds and Instagram stories rather than newspapers or television. Almost 50% of U.S. adults under 30 trust social media influencers more than traditional national news sources. This means that a charming TikTok user's simplified perspective on "Free Palestine" can be as credible as an offical news outlet story. TikTok is basically "the internet" for many teens and young adults, serving as their primary search engine, news source, and social forum. When that ecosystem is filled with one-sided propaganda portraying Israel as an evil entity, it's no surprise that young viewers embrace similar sentiments.
Furthermore, peer reinforcement and identity signaling amplify the effect. Supporting "Palestine" has become a symbol of moral excellence in many social circles, including on universities and online forums. Teenagers may feel pressured to support the perceived virtuous cause, which is portrayed as a statement against racism and imperialism. This tribal desire is so powerful that even some young Jews feel torn: according to a recent survey, a fifth of American Jewish millennials believe it is appropriate to distance themselves from Israel to fit in socially. In the world of TikTok and Twitter, complicated geopolitical realities are simplified to hashtags and slogans. Nuance is lost as youth coalesce around what appears to be a major David vs. Goliath conflict, with Israel (unfairly) depicted as Goliath.
This tidal wave of anti-Israel sentiment online was not spontaneous; it was actively generated by Hamas and its sympathizers as part of a sophisticated propaganda campaign. From the start of the conflict, Hamas recognized that what happens on TikTok, X, Telegram, and other platforms is just as important as what occurs on the battlefield. The group and its supporters have shown effective at information warfare, leveraging social media's flaws to shape the narrative and influence global sentiment against Israel.
A key component of Hamas' strategy is to manipulate visual media to maximum effect. Shortly after the October 7 slaughter, Hamas-affiliated channels aired horrifying GoPro and phone recordings, not only to boast to their audience, but also to instill fear and provoke Israel into a strong response. Meanwhile, when Israel struck back in Gaza, Hamas filled social media with heartbreaking photographs of wounded or dead Palestinian people. Some of these photographs were authentic, but others were recycled from previous battles or even different countries. However, Hamas calculates that volume is more important than veracity. By bombarding social media with visuals of Palestinian pain, they hope to drown out discussion of Hamas' own crimes and portray Israel as the sole aggressor. It's cognitive warfare 101: take the narrative high ground by portraying your side as a complete victim.
Furthermore, a coordinated network of pro-Hamas accounts was seen distributing misinformation in unison. This network most likely consisted of activists, bots, and diaspora influencers. Researchers discovered "dozens of accounts pushing a coordinated disinformation campaign" on X within days of the war's start. The outcome was the same whether it was orchestrated by Hamas, Iran's cyber army, or grassroots fervor: social media feeds were flooded with identical talking points accusing Israel of crimes it had not committed or denying those harmed or killed on October 7. On TikTok, extremist clerics and agitators also mobilized people with viral calls to action, such as advocating for a "Global Day of Jihad," that fortunately did not materialize, or spreading anti-Jewish libels from the Middle Ages in the shape of contemporary memes. The ecosystem of Hamas supporters includes anonymous meme creators and official media sources, all of which contribute to the constant barrage of anti-Israel misinformation.
The West's open information ecosystem is being used against it. Hamas' propaganda playbook is right out of authoritarian regimes: flood the zone with your story, exploit free speech safeguards to spread hatred, and accuse your opponent of the same crimes you carry out (a classic mirror propaganda tactic).
While anti-Israel and antisemitic propaganda has regularly been freely shared online, pro-Israel voices have frequently faced bias, suppression, and censorship on these same platforms. Many Israel supporters believe that social media companies hold them to a double standard or accidentally silence their views, whether through improper moderation or the sheer volume of the opposition. The issues range from subtle "shadowbanning" (posts that are algorithmically hidden or downplayed) to outright content removal and account suspensions. These reasons, combined with the hostile internet environment, have made it more and more difficult to combat the waves of propaganda.
On TikTok, a group of renowned Jewish creators have raised concerns about what they regard as systematic suppression of their work. In an open letter addressed "Dear TikTok," they protested that the platform has become "a permanent cesspool of indiscriminate and aggressive antisemitism" and that their attempts to confront lies have been kneecapped. The letter highlighted internal statistics showing "prominent Jewish creators' posts about Israel" reaching less than 1% of their own followers. This low engagement rate suggests that those posts are being silently throttled. Unless the system flags a creator's posts, a substantially bigger portion of their follower list will generally view them. The inference is plain to these users: TikTok's algorithm may be shadowbanning pro-Israel video, either owing to false "hate speech" warnings or an overcorrection in the midst of the content deluge.
My Testimony
Since October 7th, I've worked diligently to create a platform committed to truth-telling, education, and advocacy in the aftermath of the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust. To offset the flood of disinformation and hostility on social media, I've spent countless hours generating content that is meticulously researched, emotionally grounded, and morally consistent. I've attempted to provide clarity, historical context, and a genuine support of Israel and Western values.
And for that, I’ve been told:
“Hitler was right.”
“He should’ve finished the job.”
“Gas the Jews.”
“We’re coming for you next.”
“Your life isn’t worth saving.”
These are not isolated comments. They are daily occurrences. They fill my notifications, my DMs, my comment sections. Slurs, threats, Holocaust denial, dehumanization, and explicit calls for my death—not because of anything I’ve said or done, but because I support Israel and the Jewish people, and because I refuse to remain silent.
I’ve reported these comments. I’ve flagged the threats. I’ve even received emails back from TikTok’s content moderation team confirming that these vile messages have been “reviewed”—only for them to respond with the same soulless decision:
“This does not violate our community guidelines.”
A direct call to exterminate Jews does not violate their “community standards.”
Platforms that claim to protect marginalized voices have enabled the widespread normalization of antisemitism in the name of political activism. Creators like myself, who advocate for peace, truth, and Israel's right to exist, are shadowbanned, demonetized, and targeted. Meanwhile, those who advocate for genocide—literally—are rewarded with likes, reach, and amplification.
I don't share this for sympathy, bu t because it's important for people to realize how bad the rot is. This is more than just an algorithmic issue. A moral crisis is occurring. Furthermore, as has already happened in Paris, Sydney, Los Angeles, and New York, Melbourne, Washington D.C, and more, the digital threats will turn into physical ones if the world doesn't start taking this seriously.
I don't find the rise in antisemitism to be abstract. It's personal. It is unrelenting. And the very platforms that say they are fighting hate tolerate it, if not actively promote it. But I'm not going to stop. I'm not going to disappear. Because if there is one thing I've learned over the past two years, it's that truth has adversaries. However, it has supporters as well. And I'm proud to stand among them.
Excellent as always. Grateful for your hard work 🙏 (I am a non Jewish supporter of Israel).
Absolutely brilliant ending
The truth has enemies
It’s that singular moment when you realize the whole world doesn’t necessarily look like the nice town one grew up in