In a TikTok video, a young girl from Gaza covered in ash pleads for her mother, adding to the millions of videos circulating on the platform about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The emotional stories and distressing images coming out of the conflict zone have stirred up emotions and turned social media into a battleground, even thousands of miles away in London.
Every day, millions of TikToks are uploaded, offering different perspectives on the Israel-Hamas war and becoming a primary source of news for many. The platform’s short, shareable video clips have the potential to go viral quickly, especially when anger is involved, according to Dr. Christine Cheng, a senior lecturer in war studies at King’s College London.
In the US, Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley has claimed that TikTok makes people more antisemitic and pro-Hamas every 30 minutes, although there is no clear evidence to support this. Prominent UK TikTok creators, who have aligned themselves on both sides of the conflict, believe that the platform provides an opportunity to promote conversations and highlight stories that are overlooked by mainstream media. TikTok itself claims to be actively responding to the Israel-Hamas war by removing fake accounts and engagement.
While TikTok’s content may appear to lean towards pro-Palestine views based on the numbers, the platform argues that this reflects wider trends on social media and among younger audiences. Dr. Cheng explains that strong emotional responses tend to enhance engagement, which social media platforms thrive on, leading to increased polarization and making it difficult to have calm conversations.
Short video clips about specific events in the conflict often lack the necessary context, which can hinder meaningful conversations. Dr. Martin Farr, a senior lecturer in contemporary British history at Newcastle University, believes that people have witnessed extraordinary violence and loss of life through their phones in recent months, which may shape their perspectives on the conflict. He suggests that social media has damaged understanding rather than exacerbating divisions.
Prominent UK TikTok creators like Benny Greenstein and Isobel Dye use their platforms to engage in conversations about the conflict. Benny, who has nearly 70,000 followers, approaches people on the streets of London to discuss Israel-Palestine and emphasizes the importance of peace and diplomacy. Isobel, with over 164,000 followers, aims to highlight issues not covered by mainstream media and believes that TikTok is a good place for engagement with the conflict, as long as the right voices are heard.
Debra Barnes, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, uses TikTok to share her family’s story and raise awareness about antisemitism. She also amplifies calls for the safe return of hostages. TikTok, amid discussions about its algorithm, has stated that its recommendation algorithm does not take sides and that content is generated by the community. The platform has removed numerous videos that violate its policies on violence, hate speech, and harmful misinformation.
Although TikTok may not be popular among politicians and is banned on UK government devices, it has become a significant platform for discussions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The recent attack on Israel and the invasion of Gaza have invigorated a new generation to engage with the struggle.