TikTok Bans Calling Israeli Forces ‘Terrorists’ Days After Hiring Former Soldier and “Proud Zionist”

TikTok has updated its guidelines to include a ban on referring to Israeli forces as “terrorists,” just days after hiring a former Israeli soldier and self-described “proud Zionist” to fight antisemitism. The move comes as Israel continues its genocide and starvation in Gaza with images and videos showing emaciated children, relentless bombardment, and widespread destruction flooding social media platforms.

Activists on X have reported the ban, which “violates community guidelines”, noting that this came just 15 days after the social media platform TikTok appointed Erica Mindel, as its new Public Policy Manager for Hate Speech. [MORE]