Jewish Federations of North America on Wednesday lauded the House of Representatives for passing a national security bill against TikTok, the most popular social media platform driving antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments. 

The “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” (HR 7521) is a bipartisan bill is a vehicle provides the President with the necessary tools to pressure one of the most powerful sources pushing antisemitism today.  

“TikTok has helped fuel a horrific spike in antisemitism that our communities are feeling every day, and it’s time to take action” said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. “Today’s vote showed the strong, bipartisan support for ensuring that TikTok cannot continue to push hateful messages into our communities, and we urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this legislation.” 

TikTok’s parent company is beholden to the Chinese government, which has squarely positioned itself against Israel since October 7th. China has filled its state-controlled media and social media channels with antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric. 

The bill is NOT a ban on TikTok, nor does it restrict a user’s First Amendment rights. But the harm TikTok is doing cannot be ignored.  

We know that social media is a major driver of the rise in antisemitism and that TikTok is the worst offender. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents have spike 336% since the horrific October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel. 

Research has shown that those who use TikTok for over 30 minutes a day are 17 percent more like to hold be antisemitic or be anti-Israel views, compared to 6 percent on Instagram and 2 percent on X/Twitter. In just one year, antisemitic comments on TikTok rose 912%. 
This national security bill offers our president the tools necessary to protect American citizens’ personal data from being used by foreign adversaries, particularly TikTok. 

We now urge the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the president, who has signaled that he will sign it.  
 
A society that can’t control the virus of antisemitism from spreading through a social media platform will soon find itself facing existential threats to the very fabric of civic life.  
 
Take action now, and tell your member of Congress to support the bill’s passage by clicking here.