TikTok removes Israeli influencer Roi Star account

TikTok has removed the account of ultranationalist, pro-settlement Israeli influencer Roi Star after it was flagged for content that the platform said breached its rules on hate speech and bullying. The removal happened this week following a report , and came after TikTok was alerted to videos showing Star harassing activists in the occupied West Bank.

 

The takedown adds to growing scrutiny of how major social platforms handle posts tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly since October 2023. In this case, the account was removed after a video from January circulated showing Star entering a base used by left-wing activists in Ras Ein al-Auja in the Jordan Valley. The footage shows him using pepper spray on an activist, and he can be heard making threats and ultranationalist statements.

 

TikTok said the account was taken down for violating its community guidelines, including policies covering violent and hateful individuals and the glorification of extremists. The company also said it removed related videos posted by other creators. The platform’s action followed the reporting that highlighted the content and the alleged harassment shown in the videos.

 

The episode sits within a broader pattern described by human rights groups and digital media researchers, who have pointed to a rise in incendiary content across social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. They have also warned of what they describe as a troubling convergence between platform incentives and real-world tensions, with influencers gaining visibility through provocative messaging linked to on-the-ground confrontations.

 

While TikTok has moved to remove Star’s account and associated reposts, similar accounts remain available on Instagram, which is owned by Meta, according to the report. Meta did not respond to requests for comment.

 

For platforms operating globally, enforcement decisions in high-profile conflict-related cases can carry wider consequences, including heightened attention from civil society groups, researchers, and policymakers. At the same time, the available information leaves open questions about the scale of similar content still circulating and how consistently different platforms apply their rules across accounts and reposted material.