During a recent conference hosted by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised concerns about the impact of social media on young Americans' perceptions of the Gaza conflict. Clinton noted that many young people are sourcing their information from platforms like TikTok, which she described as a potential source of misleading content regarding the events surrounding the conflict, particularly those occurring on October 7 and in the weeks that followed.

Clinton emphasized that this reliance on social media presents significant challenges for democracy in both Israel and the United States. She remarked on the difficulties of engaging in informed discussions with young people, citing a lack of historical context and an abundance of what she termed 'pure propaganda' in the narratives they encounter online. According to her, over 50% of young Americans depend on social media for news, contributing to a skewed understanding of the situation.

Sarah Hurwitz, a former speechwriter for President Obama, echoed Clinton's concerns at a conference organized by the Jewish Federations of North America. Hurwitz criticized the overwhelming exposure of young people to graphic content from Gaza on social media, suggesting it complicates rational discourse among younger Jewish individuals regarding the conflict. She also expressed concerns that Holocaust education may inadvertently lead to misunderstandings about the dynamics between Israelis and Palestinians, framing the latter in a sympathetic light.

Clinton's comments have sparked significant criticism on social media, with many users labeling her remarks as condescending. Critics argue that the videos shared on platforms like TikTok often depict real-time events and atrocities occurring in Gaza, which mainstream media may not adequately cover. Some users highlighted that the violence in Gaza is a consequence of military actions taken by Israel, supported by U.S. resources, rather than a product of social media narratives.

Furthermore, some users contended that Clinton's assertion regarding young Jewish Americans' understanding of their history was offensive, emphasizing that many are well aware of the implications of U.S. foreign policy and its impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The growing discontent among young Jews regarding Israel's actions reflects a broader awareness of humanitarian issues, including allegations of genocide and apartheid.

In recent years, TikTok has faced scrutiny from U.S. and Israeli officials who claim the platform disseminates pro-Palestinian content. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to social media as a crucial tool for shaping Israel's image in the U.S., indicating a strategic interest in controlling narratives surrounding the conflict.