Fetterman Calls Out TikTok’s Role in Maligning Israel in Coverage of War on Hamas

Fetterman Calls Out TikTok’s Role in Maligning Israel in Coverage of War on Hamas

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has voiced concerns about the influence of TikTok on young voters’ perspectives regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the White House’s response to it, according to a report in the New York Post. In a recent interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Fetterman attributed a “warped” view of the situation among young voters to the content circulating on TikTok, pointing to a New York Times/Siena College poll that revealed significant dissatisfaction among voters aged 18 to 29 with President Biden’s handling of the conflict, the Post report added.

Asked why young Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas War and express sympathy for Palestine, Sen. John Fetterman tells CNN it is all TikTok’s fault.

He then says “it’s been very clear that Israel would very much want there to be peace.” pic.twitter.com/2Otr3tc2Zl

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) December 19, 2023

According to the poll mentioned by Tapper, 72% of voters in the 18 to 29 age group expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably, 46% of these young voters indicated that they would trust Donald Trump more to handle the war effectively, as was reported by the Post. Fetterman raised concerns about the impact of TikTok on shaping these perspectives, suggesting that content on the platform may contribute to a distorted understanding of the conflict.

The influence of social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, in shaping opinions and inspiring demonstrations has been evident. As was indicated in the Post, recent reports highlighted that young protesters tearing down posters of Israeli hostages and participating in anti-Israel demonstrations were influenced by pro-Palestinian videos circulating on TikTok and Instagram. Over a dozen protesters confirmed that their views on the Israel-Hamas war were significantly shaped by content on these social media platforms, along with influences from their school professors, the report in the Post added.

CNN – 12/19/2023 – Sen. John Fetterman interview on #Biden2024 low polls, U.S steel company being sold to a Japanese company, #IsraelHamasWar, rejecting the progressive label, and his health pic.twitter.com/qoJtuRotu2

— CaseStudyQB – #CeaseFireNOW (@CaseStudyQB) December 19, 2023

Jewish TikTok employees have accused the platform, owned by a Chinese company known as ByteDance of fostering hostile conditions and allowing internal instances of anti-Semitism, particularly since the outbreak of Hamas’ invasion of Israel on October 7^th, when the Gaza based terrorists slaughtered 1200 Israeli and others, according to the Post report.  The employees claimed that anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiments were freely expressed on TikTok’s internal messaging system, Lark. These allegations raise concerns about the platform’s role in disseminating biased information and influencing public opinion on the conflict.

Senator Fetterman, known for his strong support of the Jewish state, emphasized during the interview that it is “very clear” that Hamas initiated the conflict, violating a cease-fire and committing heinous acts, including attacks on civilians, the Post report said. Fetterman doubled down on his position, asserting that until Hamas ceases to exist, lasting peace in the region remains elusive. The Post also reported that this stance aligns with his previous statements supporting Israel’s right to eliminate Hamas terrorists responsible for the loss of innocent lives.

His strong opinions extend beyond the Israel-Hamas conflict to encompass immigration reform. In an NBC News interview and reiterated to Jake Tapper, Fetterman rejected the “progressive” label, simply categorizing himself as a Democrat, as was reported by the Post. This distancing from the progressive tag underscores his nuanced positions on various issues, positioning him within the broader Democratic spectrum.

Fetterman’s positions have not been without pushback. In October, pro-Palestinian protesters shut down a street outside his Philadelphia office, demanding that he call for a cease-fire, according to the report in the Post. The demonstration included an enormous puppet resembling the senator. Fetterman has faced heckling at events and was confronted at a bar by an individual questioning his reluctance to back a cease-fire. The Post also reported that sixteen former campaign staffers penned an open letter in October, characterizing Fetterman’s support for Israel as a “gutting betrayal.”

Amidst these controversies, Senate Republicans are pushing for a linkage between aid to Israel and Ukraine and reforms to U.S. immigration laws. The Post report said that Fetterman, while describing this coupling as “not ideal,” acknowledges it as a conversation that “we should have.” This dynamic further underscores the complexity of Fetterman’s political positioning and the intersections of foreign policy and domestic issues within the current political landscape.