A new crazy anti-Israeli conspiracy theory is doing great business on the internet while the social media platforms do nothing.
On 16 November 2023, it was reported that Osama Bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ had gone viral on TikTok. In reaction to these reports, TikTok intervened and deleted the clips concerning Bin Laden. However, this did not apply to thousands of other videos and postings that also spread antisemitism, disinformation and conspiracy myths about 7 October and its consequences. In fact, new antisemitic conspiracy myths are currently emerging online. Their establishment can be observed in real time. Yet, the social media platforms do not appear to be able or willing to stop or curb this development.
The unimaginable horror committed by Hamas on 7 October is no longer ‘just’ relativised or celebrated online. The same people, who initially cheered the slaughter of hundreds of innocent Israelis and glorified Islamist terror as a fight for freedom, now believe they can recognise a supposedly long-existing plan behind Israel’s military response to Hamas’ terror. [...]