Paper Title
TIKTOK POLITICS: EXPLORING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAELI POLITICIANS' VIDEOS ON TIKTOK

Abstract
Social media platforms act as direct channels connecting citizens and politicians, enabling the amplification of public opinion and the real-time reflection of reactions to political issues, thus showcasing the will of the people). Politicians often leverage these platforms to advance their interests, build emotional connections, and engage with voters directly, bypassing traditional journalism gatekeeping. TikTok, introduced in 2016 and embraced worldwide, boasts a vast user base spanning 150 countries. Particularly popular among Generation Z due to its alignment with their preference for concise, video-focused content, TikTok's appeal lies in its short, looping videos, designed primarily for entertainment and escapism. While TikTok is known for entertainment, it's increasingly becoming a platform for political discourse, offering politicians a unique opportunity to engage with younger demographics. Despite its playful nature, TikTok exhibits higher levels of interactivity in political communication compared to other platforms. This research aims to explore how Israeli politicians utilize TikTok, analyzing popular videos across diverse political ideologies to understand their engagement on the platform. The hypothesis suggests that factors such as gender, age, and political affiliation may influence the popularity of TikTok videos, with politicians likely integrating TikTok's features into their content to effectively convey their messages. Keywords - Tiktok, Politicians, Usage of Social Media, Generation Z, Engagement, the Medium is The Message, Technological Determinism, Gender.