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In a recent appearance that has stirred significant debate, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attributed young Americans’ increasing criticism of Israel to what she characterized as misleading social media content, particularly on platforms like TikTok.
Speaking at a summit hosted by Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom on December 2, Clinton claimed that “smart, well-educated” youth, including young Jewish Americans, are forming opinions based on “totally made-up” videos that she described as “pure propaganda” lacking historical context.
“They were getting their information from social media, particularly TikTok,” Clinton stated during a panel moderated by Israel Hayom commentator Yoav Limor. She recounted what she described as “shocking” conversations with students at Columbia University, where she serves as a professor, claiming they “didn’t know history” and were being influenced by decontextualized clips of civilian suffering.
“So just pause on that for a second. They are seeing short-form videos, some of them totally made up, some of them not at all representing what they claim to be showing, and that’s where they get their information,” Clinton said.
Her comments come at a time when public opinion polls indicate a significant shift in American attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Data from Big Data Poll conducted in November 2025 shows that sympathies for Israel are at historic lows, with a plurality of U.S. voters now characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.”
The summit where Clinton spoke was organized by Israel Hayom, Israel’s most widely circulated daily newspaper. Founded in 2007 by the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the paper is now published by his widow, Miriam Adelson, a billionaire and prominent Republican donor who contributed over $100 million to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Progressive media outlets such as Truthout and Mondoweiss have criticized the publication for what they describe as a “far-right” editorial stance and strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies.
Clinton’s recent remarks echo statements she made in October 2025 in New York, where she accused China of manipulating TikTok algorithms to influence young Americans’ views on Israel. However, she did not provide specific examples of the allegedly fabricated videos in either instance.
Her characterization of youth criticism as stemming primarily from misinformation has drawn pushback from various quarters. Jewish scholarly organizations and human rights groups, including B’Tselem, which in July 2025 published a report concluding that Israel is committing genocide based on soldier testimonies and systematic aid blockades, have criticized Clinton for dismissing documented evidence.
The controversy highlights broader generational tensions within the Democratic Party, where established leaders like Clinton have struggled to address the concerns driving youth-led protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Recent survey data indicates a growing divide, with 50% of Jewish Americans under 30 now viewing Israel’s actions as genocidal, a significant increase from 20% before October 2023.
Legal scholar Adil Haque of Just Security noted that while youth opinions have shifted, the most dramatic change has occurred among older Democrats, with unfavorable views of Israel rising from 43% to 66% among those over 50 years old.
The backdrop to this debate is Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, now in its third year, which has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza health authorities. United Nations reports have documented widespread starvation and infrastructure destruction throughout the territory, conditions that have persisted despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.
As public discourse on the conflict continues to evolve, Clinton’s comments reflect the increasingly complex intersection of social media, generational perspectives, and long-standing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
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8 Comments
Clinton raises some valid concerns about young people potentially forming opinions based on incomplete or misleading content on social media. At the same time, these platforms have also enabled more diverse voices and perspectives to be heard on this longstanding geopolitical issue.
That’s a fair point. Social media has both positive and negative impacts when it comes to complex, polarizing topics like this. Important to encourage critical thinking and access to reliable information from multiple sources.
This is a complex, long-running geopolitical issue with deeply-held views on all sides. Clinton is right to caution about the risks of misinformation on social media, but these platforms have also empowered marginalized perspectives that deserve to be heard. A balanced, thoughtful approach is needed.
Clinton’s comments reflect legitimate concerns about misinformation on social platforms, but also seem to dismiss the role these same platforms have played in raising awareness of Palestinian experiences and perspectives that were previously underreported. A more balanced view is needed.
While Clinton raises fair points about the spread of propaganda and lack of historical context on social media, it’s important to recognize that these platforms have also democratized discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict. A more inclusive, nuanced dialogue is needed, not dismissal of new voices.
Interesting perspective from Clinton on the role of social media in shaping views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While social media can spread misinformation, it’s also given more people access to different narratives on a complex issue. Curious to hear other views on this.
Clinton’s concerns about social media’s role in shaping views on the Israel-Palestine conflict are understandable. But these platforms have also enabled more diverse voices and narratives to emerge, which is valuable even if some content is misleading. A multifaceted dialogue is important here.
I appreciate Clinton highlighting the need for historical context and nuance when discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict on social media. Simplistic narratives and decontextualized clips can indeed contribute to misunderstandings. But social media has also amplified marginalized voices on this issue.