Recent MIG data shows that the discussion on the Israel-Hamas war appears to have a mix of both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine comments on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). However, the majority of hashtagged comments tend to lean more towards pro-Palestine sentiments.

On TikTok, pro-Palestine hashtags vastly outweigh pro-Israel hashtags in a way that is inconsistent with other social platforms across the internet. This discrepancy suggests that pro-Palestine content on TikTok may not be completely organic.

In addition, discussion about the Israel-Hamas conflict significantly increased on social media following the October 7 attack. Prior to the 7th, posts about Israel and Palestine on both X and TikTok were negligible and posts and views dramatically increased from October 7 on.

Posts Before and After October 7

Average daily posts on X 15 days before and after October 7

• Posts using the hashtag #israel reached a high of 251,331 on X on October 7.
• Posts using the hashtag #palestine reached a high of 136,498 on X on October 7.

• Posts using the hashtag #israel reached a high of 181,500 on TikTok on October 7.
• Posts using the hashtag #palestine reached a high of 403,872 on TikTok on October 14.

Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel Hashtags

• Since October 6, 2023, interest levels in pro-Palestine hashtags (#palestine and #freepalestine) have skyrocketed.
• Based on total post counts and TikTok’s proprietary interest score, pro-Palestine posts reached a high of nearly 1 million between October 14-20, 2023.
• In contrast, pro-Israel hashtags on TikTok only reached a high of just over 113,000 between October 7-13, 2023.
• Pro-Palestine content on TikTok vastly outweighs pro-Israel content. Since October 6, there were a total of 10 times as many pro-Palestine hashtags on TikTok as pro-Israel hashtags.

• On X, pro-Israel and pro-Palestine hashtags are much closer in volume. Tracking the hashtags #israel, #standwithisrael, #palestine, and #freepalestine, MIG data shows divided discussions.
• At the end of October, pro-Palestine hashtags on X reached a high of approximately 250,000.
• Pro-Israel hashtags on X reached a high of approximately 83,000 at the beginning of November.
• Pro-Palestine content on X outweighs pro-Israel content, but only by less than double since the end of October.

What People Are Saying

Based on the content of the analyzed discussions online, it is apparent that the comments heavily favor Palestine.

Palestine

• There is a high usage of hashtags such as #FreePalestine, #Gaza_Genocide, and #IsraelisGenocidalState, which indicates strong criticism of Israel.
• Pro-Palestine comments often criticize Israel's actions and policies, accuse Israel of human rights violations, and express sympathy for the Palestinians.
• They also call for a halt to Israel's occupation and the recognition of Palestine's statehood.
• These comments also tend to criticize U.S. politicians and policies that support Israel, and call for solidarity movements for Palestine.

Israel

• Pro-Israel comments, on the other hand, often criticize Hamas and accuse them of terrorist activities.
• They argue that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas' attacks, and some even call for the complete elimination of Hamas.
• These comments also often express concern for Israeli hostages and criticize the UN and U.S. politicians for their perceived support of Hamas.

Potentially Biased Content

The implications of MIG data raise concerns about the potential skewing or bias of content, especially on TikTok.

• Some commentors online suggest TikTok might be purposefully promoting or suppressing certain narratives, possibly as a result of commercial pressures or political influences.
• For example, Elon Musk's reaction to advertisers allegedly trying to influence X content raises questions about the potential for corporate or government influence over the dissemination of information on all social platforms.
• However, it is challenging to definitively determine whether the content is purposefully skewed, based on public comments alone.
• While the discussions suggest possible bias or skewing, they also reflect users' individual perceptions, which may be influenced by various factors.

Further research would be required to definitively establish the extent and nature of any potential skewing of content on TikTok.

SCOOP

The recent Congressional hearings on antisemitism in Ivy League schools, specifically focusing on Representative Elise Stefanik's questioning, have sparked intense online discussions. The sentiment surrounding Stefanik's stance on Israel and her inquiries into antisemitism varies widely. Despite the polarization, a notable theme emerges from the conversations: a growing belief among many Americans that Ivy League institutions are not doing enough to curb hateful rhetoric on their campuses.

Key Themes Of Discussion

Support for Stefanik's Questioning:

Many online commentators expressed appreciation for Stefanik's pointed questions during the Congressional hearings. Some thanked her for bringing attention to the issue of antisemitism and criticized Harvard for what they perceived as a failure to condemn hateful rhetoric. Stefanik's inquiries about calls for the destruction of Israel were seen as necessary to address concerns about the university's code of conduct.

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Criticism of Stefanik

On the flip side, there were criticisms of Stefanik, with some questioning her approach. Detractors accused her of conflating legitimate criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitism and argued that her definition of antisemitic behavior was overly broad. Some even suggested that Stefanik was using the situation for political gain, aligning herself with former President Trump.

Debate Over Free Speech:

The discussions also delved into the broader debate over free speech on college campuses. Some users argued that universities should focus on educating individuals making antisemitic statements rather than outright punishment. Others contended that certain forms of speech, particularly those inciting hatred or violence, should not be protected under the banner of free speech.

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Concerns About Academic Institutions:

A recurrent theme in the discussions was the criticism directed at Ivy League institutions and academia. Some users accused these institutions of fostering antisemitism and failing to protect Jewish students adequately. This criticism extended to the perceived evasiveness of academic responses, contrasting them unfavorably with the perspectives of "ordinary" working people.

There are varied opinions towards defunding Ivy League institutions altogether. The majority of the posts do not explicitly advocate for defunding, but they do express disappointment and concern about how these institutions are handling issues of antisemitism and so-called "woke" ideologies. There are calls for the resignation of university presidents and criticism of their responses to the Congressional hearings.

Conclusion

While online discussions on antisemitism in Ivy League schools are diverse and often polarized, a common thread emerged – a growing perception among many Americans that Ivy League institutions are falling short in addressing and preventing hateful rhetoric. We saw a rise in both positive and negative comments for Stefanik on topics like “Israel” and “Ideologies,” while support for “universities” experienced a dip the day of the hearing and the day after.

The hearings, particularly Stefanik's questioning, have brought to light the complexities of the issue, reflecting broader debates on free speech, political motivations, and the role of academic institutions in shaping societal values. The calls for increased accountability and efforts to confront antisemitism on campuses suggest a need for continued dialogue and action in the pursuit of tolerance and understanding.

Scoop

Governor Gavin Newsom’s public opinion has dropped after outrage over San Francisco’s overnight clean up for foreign dignitaries arriving for last week’s APEC Summit.

The Details

• Ahead of the summit, San Francisco authorities dismantled homeless encampments downtown, scrubbed away graffiti, and installed murals and decorative crosswalks to spruce up high-traffic zones.
• Newsom acknowledged the summit motivated the city to "raise the bar" on cleaning efforts.

What they’re saying

The Governor quipped to reporters 'I know folks are saying, 'Oh, they're just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming to town,' said Newsom late last week.

'That's true, because it's true - but it's also true for months and months and months prior to APEC, we've been having conversations.'

"He was more concerned with promoting...his policies instead of addressing the human suffering on our streets," said Jennifer Friedenbach of the Coalition on Homelessness.

Conservative Pundit Megyn Kelly derided the Governor’s priorities, “Gavin Newsom and Mayor Breed clean up the city just in time for the Chinese leader to show up there with Joe Biden...They’re important, but the actual residents of San Francisco can pound sand,' Kelly said on her podcast.

Movement

• As media focused on the pre-summit clean up and Newsom’s comments acknowledging the clean up, Newsom has earned consistently lower daily opinion scores.
  • In the first half of the last 30 days, Newsom’s daily opinion scores only fell below 45% once.
  • Since November 9th, Newsom's daily public opinion scores have only topped 45% once, mostly lingering between 43-44% on most days.
  • Despite touting negotiation wins with China on fentanyl and carbon emissions, opinion amongst users discussing Newsom online tumbled further on the first day of the Summit, dropping from 44% on November 15th to 39% on November 16th.
    • This was the lowest daily opinion score for Newsom in the last 30 days.

Lasting Impression

The California Governor continues to be attacked for the clean up fiasco, finding himself in first place amongst major politicians who earn more negative than positive comments online.

Looking ahead

As speculation grows over a future Newsom presidential bid, the spotlight on California’s homelessness crisis seems unlikely to dim, posing a significant political challenge to the California Governor’s political ambition.

The online discourse about climate change appears to be diverse and polarized across various platforms. Some voices emphasizing the urgent need for action and others dismissing climate change as a hoax or scam.

Public Opinion

Public discourse seems divided into two main camps: climate change believers and skeptics.

• Believers, often citing scientific studies and reports, argue for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. They often discuss the need for clean energy, carbon sequestration, and other technological solutions.  
• Skeptics question the reality of climate change and often accuse governments and elites of using the climate change narrative to exert control over the populace. They frequently cite historical climate changes to argue that current changes are part of a natural cycle.  

In the USA overall, average sentiment scores for topics related to climate change is 48%. However, in several key swing states, sentiment towards climate change dips below the national average.

• A significant portion of the public remains skeptical of climate change projections, often citing the perceived hypocrisy of elites on the subject.
• This skepticism is further fueled by media outlets and personalities who question the science behind climate change and criticize the perceived alarmism of environmentalists. 

These are the top topics related to climate change being discussed by Republicans and Democrats.

Climate Change in the Media

The press often discusses climate change in terms of imminent environmental disaster. There is a significant emphasis on the need for immediate, comprehensive action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the public discourse appears to be more divided.  

• The term "climate events" is often used by media to refer to specific incidents, such as extreme weather events or natural disasters, that are linked to climate change.
• “Climate events” are often reported in the media with a sense of urgency and alarm. However, the public's reaction to these reports varies widely.
• The term "environmentalism" is used to refer to the political and social movement promoting environmental protection and sustainability.
• This framing of the issue resonates with many people, particularly those who identify as environmentalists or are concerned about the future of the planet.
• Some people are deeply concerned about the impact of these events and see them as clear evidence of climate change,
• Many skeptics question the link between these events and human-induced climate change, often pointing to historical climate variations as evidence that current trends are not necessarily abnormal or cause for alarm. 

Perceived Hypocrisy by Elites

A significant subset of the discourse revolves around the perceived hypocrisy of elites, celebrities, and the wealthy.

• Critics argue that these individuals preach about climate change while maintaining lifestyles that contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
• This critique extends to billionaires and corporations, with some arguing that these entities bear a significant responsibility for climate change.
• Many people argue that high-profile figures should lead by example and reduce their own carbon footprints if they are genuinely concerned about climate change.
• The perceived gap between their words and actions has led to accusations of hypocrisy and has undermined public trust in their advocacy for environmental causes.

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is under scrutiny for its impact on American society. A recent Media Intelligence Group report highlights concerns regarding the platform's association with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its influence on Americans.

• The MIG report underlines a predominantly negative sentiment among Americans toward TikTok and its alignment with China.
• The data suggests many Americans believe the platform may be fostering the spread of woke ideologies they call the “woke mind virus.”
• Some believe leftist propaganda, particularly among younger generations, is shaping views on important issues like abortion, Ukraine, China, and Israel.
• Americans are growing increasingly apprehensive about TikTok's potential to influence political views, shaping public opinion that contradicts Western and American values.

Overall sentiment toward China in the last two weeks has hovered in the mid to low 40% range.

What Americans are Saying

MIG data reveals that Americans have multiple concerns about TikTok and China influence.

TikTok Concerns

• There are overall concerns about TikTok being controlled by a Chinese company and potentially being influenced by the CCP.
• Belief that TikTok’s ubiquity was intentional in the CCP’s strategic economic and ideological competition with America.
• There is a general sentiment that 'woke' culture and leftist ideologies are being spread and propagated by TikTok.
• Belief that Gen Z are particularly at risk of influence by social platforms like TikTok.
• Some express concern that TikTok could be playing a role in shaping perceptions specifically in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Concerns about the CCP's potential to economically and financially ruin the West.
• Fears of further infiltration, influence, and the propagation of ideologies that are seen as detrimental to American values.

Bipartisan Agreement About TikTok Propaganda

In recent comments, former president Obama expressed concerns that TikTok influencers were shaping perceptions about the Israel conflict saying, “The problem with the social media and trying — TikTok activism, and trying to debate this on that — is you can’t speak the truth.”

• Republicans seem to agree with the sentiment that TikTok activism is largely negative.
• But while Democrats and Republicans agree that misinformation and propaganda are an issue, they disagree about which narratives and ideologies are untrue.
• The data suggestions many Americans believe Democrats are not consistent in their foreign policy, particularly with regards to Ukraine and Israel.
• Those on the right are quite negative toward Democrats, accusing them of hypocrisy, spreading the "woke mind virus," and being responsible for societal problems.
• Left-leaning Americans, however, say Republicans are spreading oppression by supporting Israel in an ethnic cleansing operation and killing many civilians.

In the last two weeks, online sentiment toward Israel was low, dipping below 40% on most days with a low of 37%. Some commenters express concern that online ideological influence is a key driver of overall sentiment toward Israel.

Possible Congressional Investigations

• Concerns about TikTok's role in shaping public perceptions have been highlighted by the ongoing discussions of international conflicts, especially Israel and Hamas.
• This negative perception of TikTok, in connection with the CCP, has raised calls for congressional investigations.
• The potential for congressional investigations would likely intensify apprehensions and may significantly affect the platform's reputation and public perception.

Overall Media Influence

In addition to negative views of social platforms like TikTok, there are also negative sentiments toward media in general, including news and online platforms.

Pro-Palestine Activists

• Many pro-Palestine activists feel the wider media, outside of TikTok, is not accurately portraying the Israel situation, but instead favoring Israel.
• Activists involved in online discussions regarding the #freepalestine movement accuse the media of failing to report on what they believe to be atrocities and war crimes.
• They also suggest that the media is suppressing the voices of Palestinians and their supporters.
• Many are critical of the US government, accusing it of complicity due to its financial aid to Israel.

Conservative Censorship Complaints

• On the right, there is frustration with perceived bias in mainstream media coverage that unfairly vilifies Israel.
• There is a sense of dissatisfaction with the media, with some people accusing it of being a mouthpiece for leftist political ideologies.
• Many conservatives argue that big tech platforms and media organizations censor right-leaning ideologies.
• There is a perceived lack of coverage on issues like the origins Covid-19 and the role of the CCP in global affairs.

A common thread in the discussion on both sides is the notion of 'the other side' controlling the narrative.

A growing rift has emerged among Democrats over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, according to a new Media Intelligence Report.

• Overall online sentiment toward Israel and Hamas has been split over the past week at 38% and 36% respectively.
• However, among Democrats, sentiment has been more evenly divided between Israel and Hamas
• at 45% each.
• These sentiment indicators highlight growing ideological differences between factions in the Democrat party.

The Dividing Line for Dems

• The MIG report identified a generational divide, with younger Democrats generally more critical of Israel than older members who emphasize Israel's security needs.
• Moderate Democrats urged a balanced approach, condemning Hamas while addressing Gaza's humanitarian plight.
• Some old-school Democrats decry what they see as a shocking increase in antisemitism among college students and far-left Democrats.
• These divisions are causing a rare crack in the normally unified Democrat front.

What Democrats Are Saying

Historically, Democrats tend to move in lockstep, coalescing around a common principle or ideology that drives progressive policy. That is not the case when it comes to Israel.

Support for Israel Among Democrats

• Some Democrats defend Israel's military actions as necessary self-defense against Hamas. They argue that Israel is responding to aggression and criticize Hamas for using civilians as human shields.
• Among these Democrats, there is support for Biden’s $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel, without humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
• Many view Hamas’ actions on October 7 as a “vile atrocity” that requires immediate response.
• Overall, many older and more moderate Democrats seem to be inclined to support Israel compared to younger, extremely progressive Democrats.
• Many in the Jewish community argue that pro-Palestine protestors misunderstand the threat from Hamas and overly simplify the complex history.

Pro-Palestine Democrats

• In contrast, many younger Democrats accuse Israel of war crimes and "genocide" in Gaza. The far left celebrated the terror attack, refused to condemn it, or suggested Israel bears responsibility.
• They call for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
• Recent pro-Palestine protests in Washington DC, suggest a growing sentiment in support of Palestine.
• These individuals argue that Palestinians are being disproportionately targeted and suffer more casualties compared to Israeli civilians.
• Protestors demand the Biden administration take a firmer pro-Palestine stance.
• Some demand steps be taken to hold Israeli leadership accountable for alleged atrocities. Many protesters also express support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Other Takeaways

• Overall, there seems to be a division over what constitutes antisemitism. Some say criticism of Israel equates antisemitism.
• Others argue that animosity towards Israel is growing, worsening antisemitism.
• Meanwhile, others argue criticism is not inherently antisemitic.
• In sum, the discourse reveals deep divisions not only between different political and ideological groups, but also within them.

With the holiday shopping season approaching, consumers appear conflicted about risking their usual shopping plans amid rising crime rates nationwide.  

What the Data Says 

Media Intelligence Group reports that public discussions reveal an emerging apprehension and caution regarding shopping dangers. 

• Reports of increased theft and organized retail crime in many major cities have been generating headlines all year.  
• Various reports also revealed that retailers lost more than $112 billion in 2022 due to crime.  
• Major brands like Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Macy's, and others have closed store locations because of increasing theft. 

Now, the danger of in-store criminal activity has people expressing their hesitation to shop during what has traditionally been the heaviest shopping season of the year.  

• Some people argue that positive economic indicators like 2.0% and 2.1% GDP growth in Q1 and Q1 of 2023 point to a hospitable environment for spending.  
• However, concerns also persist about inflation's toll on families’ spending power, making purchases challenging. 

What Americans are Saying 

The MIG report suggests caution rather than fear is the prevailing mood among Americans.  

• Shoppers seem alert to potential dangers but not fully deterred.  
• Many do say they’ll think twice before venturing out or spend less time browsing in stores. 
• Meanwhile corporations seem quiet in the public forum but are likely keeping a close eye on shrinking revenues. 
• People are hesitant due to increased risks of theft and organized retail crime. 
• Some express fear about potential mass shootings in places like malls and shopping centers. 
• And most Americans feel uncertain about the overall economy affecting their spending power. 

Media Denial 

At the same time, many media outlets push back on the narrative that retail crime is significantly increasing nationwide based on available data.  

• Many headlines suggest that retailers may be overstating or sensationalizing the issue.  
• Some journalists express a desire for “more objective” data collection on retail crime trends before concluding there is a major national surge occurring. 
• Despite media pushback, these pressures may cause retailers to see decreased profits through the end of 2023. 

As conflict broke out in early October between Israel and Hamas, Black Lives Matter also found itself in the spotlight. The left-wing activist group generated severe backlash and negativity over its public expressions of solidarity with Hamas, which it ostensibly walked back by deleting some X posts.

According to a report from Media Intelligence Group (MIG), online sentiment toward Black Lives Matter has become increasingly polarized following the organization's controversial remarks. While BLM supporters argue that opposing oppression should be a universal cause, a vast majority of Israel supporters see the comments as anti-Semitic and promoting terrorism.

The MIG report revealed that Black Lives Matter quickly became a top discussion subject online following its statements. During the second week of October, there were more than 9,000 people engaging in online debate about the movement daily.

Sentiment also dropped from 45% positive to 37% in the same week as ideological divisions grew more apparent. Since mid-October, discussion of BLM online has subsided but sentiment overall for leftist ideologies remains in the low 40% range.

Recent discoveries of financial mismanagement in BLM chapters have also fueled negative perceptions. The alleged BLM-linked murder of an Antifa activist has further stirred controversy about violence associated with the movement.

Overall, Black Lives Matter's vocal alignment with Hamas has made it a lightning rod issue, costing it support and retaining only vehement supporters. The complex public response reflects the overall contentious ideological debates sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A recent Media Intelligence Group (MIG) report on public sentiment regarding the US economy reveals a nation split along partisan lines. Supporters praise the administration for allegedly reducing unemployment and achieving GDP growth. But critics blame Biden for rising inflation and interest rates that threaten the middle class.

One sentiment that crosses the political divide is that many people feel their financial situations are becoming strained in the current economy. The report highlights Americans worries about the impact of continuously climbing interest rates on mortgages and car loans.

Today auto loan defaults are surging, and mortgage rates hover around 7.5%. Households are struggling with the higher threshold for borrowing. Despite the administration touting positive economic indicators like a 4.9% GDP growth in Q3 2022, many of the voting population still express fear and uncertainty. MIG data shows that Joe Biden's approval rating dropped to a concerning 35% during the second week of October.

Biden critics point to inflation reducing real incomes and an accumulating public debt burden as indicators of economic mismanagement. But Biden supporters credit policies like the Inflation Reduction Act for spurring investment and job creation. In general, sentiment appears aligned with political affiliations but the overall sentiment towards the economy in 2023 is negative.