(ProsperNews.net) – A group of young attendees of an anti-Israel rally admitted to learning pro-Palestine beliefs from videos on Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram page and TikTok, the Chinese-owned video streaming platform. According to about a dozen protestors, their opinions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict originate from TikTok, as well as teachers who preach anti-Israel sentiments. The protestors also cited Facebook posts with pictures of the conflict as a contributing factor to their pro-Palestine beliefs.
One 17-year-old student from New Utrecht High School claims that the graphic images from the conflict inspired him to protest against Israel. The student claims that images of dead or injured children are circulating social media frequently and encouraged them to attend the New York anti-Israel rally. Another New Utrecht High School student states that younger protestors will use social media to raise awareness and “make a difference.”
Another protestor in attendance claims they follow Palestinian accounts on TikTok, which show video footage and firsthand accounts of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The protestor claims that mainstream media are ignoring Palestinians’ perspectives in the conflict. Other protestors from St. John’s University mentioned following Palestinian accounts on TikTok, claiming the videos amounted to “research” into the conflict.
During the rally, protestors were seen ripping down posters supporting Israel and tearing up posters of the hostages in Hamas’ custody. While the protestors vandalized the posters, other attendees celebrated their actions and joined in. Other protestors are claiming the increase in anti-Israel beliefs will continue and that Palestine will receive more support as the conflict drags on.
One participant, aged 25, claimed that after seeing Instagram posts about the Israel-Hamas war, her eyes were “opened.” The protestors’ comments are concerning to many, who fear the increase in Palestinian support will cause a rise in antisemitism. According to a report from Breitbart, pro-Palestine TikTok accounts are far more popular than pro-Israel accounts.
The report also indicates that TikTok influencers sharing an anti-Israel sentiment are growing in popularity among younger demographics. The influencers face accusations of misrepresenting events surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, prompting concerns about TikTok’s influence on youth regarding the war in the Middle East.
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