In a significant development that intertwines technology, geopolitics, and cultural influence, a leaked email from Safra Catz, former CEO of Oracle, to Ehud Barak, former Israeli Prime Minister, has shed light on efforts to shape public perception in the United States regarding Israel. The email, first reported by the Responsible Statecraft website, was obtained through a hack of Barak’s email account. In the February 2015 correspondence, Catz expressed concern about the growing influence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a pro-Palestinian campaign that seeks to exert economic pressure on Israel, drawing inspiration from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The email reveals a strategic intent to counter this movement by embedding positive sentiments toward Israel within American culture, particularly among younger audiences, before they reach college campuses where BDS has gained traction.
Catz’s email to Barak stated, “We have all been horrified by the growth of the BDS movement on college campuses and have concluded that we have to fight this battle before the kids even get to college. We believe that we have to embed the love and respect for Israel in the American culture. That means getting the message to the American people in a way they can consume it.” This statement underscores a proactive approach to shaping public opinion through cultural and media channels, emphasizing the need to reach Americans in accessible and relatable ways. The revelation of this email has sparked discussions about the intersection of corporate influence, international politics, and social media platforms, particularly in light of recent developments involving TikTok’s operations in the United States.
The BDS movement, which Catz referenced, has been a polarizing force globally. It advocates for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against Israel to pressure the government over its policies toward Palestinians. Modeled after the successful campaign against apartheid in South Africa, BDS has gained significant support on U.S. college campuses, prompting concern among pro-Israel advocates who view it as a threat to Israel’s international standing. Catz’s email suggests a long-term strategy to counteract this movement by fostering a cultural affinity for Israel among Americans, particularly younger generations, before they encounter BDS activism in academic settings.
Adding another layer to this narrative is Oracle’s evolving role in the U.S. operations of TikTok, the popular social media platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Safra Catz, who transitioned from Oracle’s CEO to executive vice chair in September, is believed to have played a significant role in negotiations for a deal that would transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to a consortium with majority American ownership. Oracle is expected to be a key player in this consortium, particularly in managing the platform’s data security. The deal, which has been described as near completion, aims to address national security concerns raised by U.S. officials about the potential for Chinese government access to American users’ data.
An anonymous source cited by Responsible Statecraft emphasized that Catz “will be nowhere near the algorithm of TikTok,” suggesting that her involvement in the TikTok deal is unrelated to the content recommendation system that drives the platform’s user experience. However, the broader context of her email to Barak raises questions about the potential for corporate leaders to influence cultural and political narratives through platforms like TikTok, which has become a powerful tool for shaping public opinion, particularly among younger demographics.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance provided further clarity on the TikTok deal, stating on Thursday that “American investors will actually control the algorithm” responsible for curating content for users once the deal is finalized. This statement addresses concerns about foreign influence over TikTok’s content moderation and recommendation systems, which have been a focal point in discussions about the platform’s security risks. An anonymous U.S. official elaborated that a copy of TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm would be provided to the joint venture. This algorithm would be “fully inspected and retrained by the security provider on U.S. user data, and then it’s going to be operated by that U.S. entity,” ensuring that American entities maintain oversight of the platform’s operations.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt highlighted Oracle’s role in the new consortium, noting that the tech firm would serve as “TikTok’s trusted security provider, and they will independently monitor the safety and data security of all U.S. user data on TikTok’s platform.” This role positions Oracle as a critical player in safeguarding user data and ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations, addressing concerns about privacy and national security that have driven the push to restructure TikTok’s U.S. operations.
The significance of TikTok’s sale was underscored by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent address to social media influencers. Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of social media in modern geopolitical conflicts, stating, “We have to fight with the weapons that apply to the battlefields on which we are engaged. And the most important ones are on social media. And the most important purchase that is going on right now is, class? TikTok. TikTok, number one. Number one. And I hope it goes through, because it can be consequential.” His remarks highlight the growing recognition of social media platforms as critical battlegrounds for shaping public opinion and advancing national interests.
Netanyahu’s comments, combined with Catz’s leaked email, point to a broader effort to leverage platforms like TikTok to influence cultural and political narratives. The potential for TikTok to serve as a tool for promoting specific viewpoints, including those related to international conflicts, has made its ownership and operation a matter of intense scrutiny. The platform’s algorithm, which curates content based on user behavior, has been particularly controversial, as it plays a significant role in determining what information and perspectives users are exposed to.
The convergence of these developments—Oracle’s involvement in TikTok, Catz’s email about countering the BDS movement, and Netanyahu’s emphasis on social media as a geopolitical tool—raises important questions about the role of technology companies in shaping public discourse. While Oracle’s role in the TikTok deal appears to focus on data security, the broader context suggests that corporate leaders and tech platforms can play a significant role in cultural and political influence campaigns. The leaked email from Catz to Barak, though from 2015, provides a glimpse into long-term strategies to shape public opinion, particularly among younger audiences who are active on platforms like TikTok.
As the TikTok deal moves forward, it will likely continue to be a focal point for discussions about national security, data privacy, and the influence of technology on global politics. The involvement of major players like Oracle, combined with the strategic interests of nations like Israel and the United States, underscores the complex interplay between technology, culture, and geopolitics in the digital age. For now, the completion of the TikTok deal and Oracle’s role in it will be closely watched, as will the broader implications for how social media platforms are used to shape public perceptions and advance political agendas.
