SWC Condemns TikTok After Bin Laden Letter Promoting Anti-Semitism Goes Viral

November 17, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is calling out TikTok in regards to a letter written by Osama bin Laden more than 20 years ago which has gone viral on the social media platform.

In the letter, which was unearthed by social media influencers on TikTok, bin Laden accused the United States of being responsible for the oppression of Palestinians because of its support for Israel.

"The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals," bin Laden wrote. "Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily."

“Last March, the SWC urged all Americans to remove the TikTok app from their computers and iPhones. This is a service whose algorithms are manipulated to impact public opinion on events including the Middle East, and this latest outrage in which so-called influencers are given the platform to turn history on its head by alleging that Osama bin Laden - who ordered the mass murder of 3,000 Americans - has something truthful to teach the American people. This outrage of targeting the victims – in this case, the United States of America – could not have reached such a massive audience of uninformed young people without TikTok’s knowledge,” stated Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director. 

“In addition, this sordid episode should also serve as a wake up call to American parents and teachers, starting in elementary school that they must educate their children about the history of our country, about the fundamental values of American society, about our shortcomings and about our promise. Failure to do so, will leave generations of youngsters easy prey for manipulation and recruitment online,” added Cooper.

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).