Just recently, in a meeting with influencers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly called social media platforms like TikTok and X a "weapon" to secure support in the United States. This statement comes at a time when the digital landscape is undergoing a large shift, particularly with the latest deal involving TikTok.
History has always taught us that the first thing tyrants do is control the press. When that control slips, drastic measures are often taken.
Targeting Journalists — A Pattern of Silencing
Since October 7th, there has been a significant loss of life, including journalists.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, as of August 2025, at least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza. The International Federation of Journalists reports at least 223 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed.
It is within this context that a multi-billion dollar deal to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations has been granted, a deal spearheaded by President Trump with investors of his choosing.
This is particularly significant when you consider that a 2023 Pew Research Center study found that 43% of TikTok users in the United States regularly use the app to follow the news.
With the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the unfiltered documentation of events on platforms like TikTok has played a crucial role in shaping global and, specifically, American public opinion.
Who Now Controls the Platform?
So, who now holds the keys to this powerful platform?
Let's delve into the 45% share of the new TikTok, starting with a name that has been closely tied to pro-Israel causes: Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle.
Ellison, the second-wealthiest man in the world, is also a major private donor to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). In 2014, a year marked by significant war crimes and the loss of 2,322 Palestinian lives, Ellison's support for the IDF was unwavering.
At a Beverly Hills fundraiser for the FIDF, which hosted 12 IDF soldiers, a staggering 33 million dollars was raised. A significant portion of this, 16.6 million dollars, came from Larry Ellison himself. He has donated over 26 million dollars to the FIDF in total.
His charitable contribution to the world.
Oracle, the CIA, and Safra Catz
This is the man whose company, Oracle, was originally built to manage the database for the CIA. And the CEO of that same company is Safra Catz.
At the beginning of the Israeli operation in Gaza in 2023, she stated, "Only when I arrived in Israel for the first time after October 7th, did I start smiling again".
In a 2021 interview, Catz was quoted as saying that if employees "don't agree with our mission to support the State of Israel then maybe we aren't the right company for them".
The “Board of Peace” and the Figures Planning the Region’s Future
Looking forward to the individuals reportedly involved in negotiating the future of the region. A so-called "board of peace" has been mentioned, and the names associated with it are telling.
First, the current President of the United States, a faithful supporter of Israel.
Second, Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister and another ally of Israel. Blair's institute, which is reportedly involved in planning the reconstruction of Gaza, has also been a recipient of Ellison's charitable work, to the tune of a reported 350 million dollars.
And third, the nominee for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Rubio has been a vocal critic of TikTok in the past, citing it as a national security threat and a tool for brainwashing users against U.S. interests, by which many believe he meant Israel's actions. However, his stance appears to have softened now that the platform's control is shifting into friendly hands.
Why These Connections Matter
Why do these connections matter?
Because Larry Ellison, with his deep financial ties and connections to these key figures, will now have significant influence over the narrative, the stories, the images, and the information that millions of people consume on TikTok.
This isn't a new strategy. A decade ago, in a 2015 email, Safra Catz wrote about the need to "embed the love and respect for Israel in the American culture".
The loss of their narrative control is causing panic, leading to more aggressive and desperate measures to win it back, culminating in this massive multi-billion dollar deal for TikTok.
Early Signs of Censorship
And the changes are already being felt.
There are reports of new TikTok guidelines that censor the word "war" when applied to the situation in Palestine, while the term "resistance" if mentioned must be followed by condemning it afterwards.
To top it off, the new Public Policy Manager for Hate Speech at TikTok is a former instructor in the Israeli military.
Media Consolidation Beyond TikTok
The reach of this influence doesn't stop with TikTok.
David Ellison, Larry Ellison's son, is a major player in the media landscape through Skydance's merger with Paramount Global, which includes CBS News.
The father and son now control a significant portion of both new and traditional media.
Other Key Investors: Silver Lake and MGX
The other key investors in the TikTok deal are also noteworthy.
Silver Lake, a private equity firm in which Larry Ellison has invested 3.6 billion dollars back in 2004.
The third is the United Arab Emirates' AI investment firm, MGX, owned by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, another figure known for his ties to Israel and the normalization of the occupation and death of the Palestinians.
What This Means for Palestinians
While the truth has been reaching the world through the lens of ordinary people, the powerful forces of propaganda have historically shaped the narrative in Israel's favor since 1948.
With control over a platform as influential as TikTok, there is a real danger that their atrocities will be hidden, and the world will be fed a carefully curated version of reality.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the voices of the oppressed are not silenced. We must continue to share their stories, to amplify their cries for justice, and to expose the truth, and to remind the world of the true face of this apartheid state, until it's no more.
Watch the Full Investigation
This article is a companion to our latest YouTube video, where we walk through every detail behind the TikTok deal and the network of power shaping its future.
Watch the full breakdown, see the clips, and understand how this shift affects the digital storytelling around Palestine.
