Radical Activists Promote Pro-Palestinian TikTok Alternative Amid Ownership Shift
As TikTok shifts to U.S. ownership, radical activists migrate to an app founded by someone scheduled to appear on an international platform alongside Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal
As TikTok completes its sale to a U.S.-led consortium, radical pro-Palestinian activists are orchestrating a mass migration to UpScrolled, a competing social media app founded by Palestinian-Australian technologist Issam Hijazi. The platform's appeal lies in its explicit rejection of content moderation—a selling point for influencers and activists who openly promote violence against Israelis.
Adding to concerns is Hijazi's appearance at an international conference alongside Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal next month, suggesting his network extends into circles directly connected to designated terror organizations.
The TikTok Transition and Its Positive Implications
On January 22, 2026, TikTok announced that it had finalized a deal to create a new American entity, effectively sidestepping a ban that had loomed over the platform for years. The restructuring places TikTok under majority U.S. ownership through a joint venture that includes Oracle (led by Trump ally Larry Ellison), Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, each holding 15 percent stakes. While ByteDance retains a 19.9 percent stake, the deal represents a significant shift toward American oversight and control.
The deal addresses national security concerns that prompted lawmakers to pursue a ban or forced sale. U.S. officials argued that ByteDance is subject to Chinese laws requiring companies to turn over user data when requested by the government. The new ownership structure places U.S. user data and TikTok's recommendation algorithm under the control of Oracle's secure U.S. cloud environment, establishing clearer domestic oversight and accountability standards.
The Coordinated Migration to UpScrolled
Rather than embracing American oversight, radical activists have coalesced around UpScrolled, founded in 2025 by Hijazi. The platform has advertised itself with promises of "no censorship" and "no shadowbans," positioning itself as a space where pro-Palestine voices can be shared without restriction. The platform has surged in downloads following TikTok's sale, with organized promotional campaigns from pro-Palestinian influencers and activist groups framing content moderation as censorship.
A Network of Controversial Connections
Hijazi is scheduled as a speaker at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum, taking place February 7-9, 2026, appearing alongside Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The conference also features Saif Abu Keshek, identified by Israeli authorities as a Hamas operative. Documents released by Israeli officials in September 2025 reveal that Hamas provided financial backing for the “Sumud” flotilla initiative and maintained covert ownership of multiple ships through Cyber Neptune, a Spanish shell company controlled by Abukeshek.
Abukeshek has also served on the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a Hamas-established body created in 2018 to function as the terror organization’s primary international representative. The PCPA was designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury in January 2026 pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for being owned, controlled, or directed by Hamas
The ecosystem promoting UpScrolled extends to established activist networks with documented ties to terror organizations. The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, chaired by Zaher Birawi, has been actively engaged in promoting the platform. The organization's official X account posted: "It looks like everyone is moving to @realUpScrolled?"
Birawi was designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury on January 21, 2026 as a senior official of the PCPA, and previously identified by Israel as a high-ranking Hamas operative involved in the Gaza flotilla movement.
Hijazi's recent activism includes speaking at Tech4Palestine's 2026 Summit, an event sponsored by CAIR Action, the political arm of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR Action serves as the summit's Gold Sponsor and has faced substantial legal scrutiny over unlicensed political operations across 22 states and alleged foreign government alignment with Turkey.
Amplifying Voices That Endorse Violence
The content being promoted on UpScrolled reveals the platform's true function within radical activist circles. Among the most prominent promoters is Guy Christensen, a TikTok influencer with more than 3 million followers who has publicly endorsed violence against Israelis.
Christensen declared "I do not condemn the elimination of the Zionist officials who worked at the Israeli embassy," and called on followers to "support Elias's actions," referring to Elias Rodriguez, who has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with an attack that killed two Israeli embassy employees. Christensen characterized Rodriguez as a "resistance fighter" rather than a terrorist.
A Persistent Challenge
UpScrolled’s rapid growth alongside the TikTok ownership shift highlights an ongoing challenge: removing content from one platform does not eliminate demand for alternatives where moderation is minimal. While the TikTok acquisition represents progress in American oversight and content responsibility, the rise of explicitly unmoderated platforms means activists can continue to promote extremist material elsewhere. For those concerned about online antisemitism and anti-Israel incitement, the decentralized nature of social media presents an enduring problem that extends far beyond any single platform.
I just came across your article in my feed and it helped explain more about this UpScroll app which I saw an Australian media personality promoting on IG yesterday. Thanks for the background info (all of it just jaw dropping of course). The one thing I don't understand- why are there all these events focused around Palestine? Tech 4 Palestine? UpScroll specifically for Palestine? Where are the Tech of Ukraine events (and they desperately need them)? I mean I so know why, but no one seems to question it, nor the attendees of the events? Do they even know what is going on behind the scenes or want to know?