As a fervent supporter of Israel and someone who has faced the brunt of backlash for expressing my Jewish identity, I find it heartening to see celebrities like Amy Schumer using their platform to amplify the cause. However, the current climate in Hollywood is indeed treacherous, with many entertainers fearing the consequences of speaking up due to industry pressures.
In the heated discussions about the Israel-Hamas Conflict, the insights of Hen Mazzig have become hard to ignore.
Representing Israeli interests might seem an unconventional choice, given his profile: At just 32 years old, this social media influencer openly identifies as gay, has a husband, and splits his time between Tel Aviv and London. In the British city where anti-Israel sentiments have reached an unprecedented peak, alongside rising instances of antisemitism, Mazzig often faces verbal attacks due to his views.
Despite this, Mazzig’s unwavering commitment, vocal support, and calm demeanor in championing for his nation have made him a highly prominent pro-Israel advocate globally. Prior to the October 7 massacre by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, Mazzig was already recognized as an influential figure in this field. However, since then, his visibility has significantly increased, with his content being shared more than 100 million times and his image frequently featured on cable news networks, particularly in the U.K.
It’s not surprising that, given the sensitive nature of the topic, Hollywood has sought guidance from Mazzig on dealing with war issues. Through his Tel Aviv Institute, Mazzig conducts seminars offering strategies for celebrities when voicing support for Israel. Notable figures who have attended Mazzig’s Jews Talk Justice Laboratories include Debra Messing, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Drew Brown of One Republic, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jonah Platt, and Mandana Dayani, the former president of Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan’s media company.
Mazzig shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter regarding his journey into Israeli advocacy, his role as an advisor within Hollywood, and his opinions on the surge of Jewish WhatsApp communities in Hollywood which have landed some participants in hot water.
Hi, Hen. I’ve seen people say you work for the Israeli government. Is that true?
Indeed, I’ve never been employed by the government. Instead, my professional journey has led me to establish a social media firm. However, it’s worth noting that I did have a single contract with a particular Israeli government department, but this was a minor project valued at approximately $5,000.
And where is home base?
I’ve split my time equally between London and Tel Aviv, which are the two cities I call home. I hail from Israel, specifically Petah Tikva, located approximately half an hour away from Tel Aviv.
When did you begin advocating for Israel?
For five years, I was a humanitarian officer in the Israeli military. During this time, I worked with Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza, contributing to hospital construction and infrastructure development. Following my military service, I relocated to Seattle. However, I encountered an anti-Israel movement on college campuses within progressive communities that left me stunned. As a gay man, I expected acceptance, given my background. Yet, despite my family’s roots in Iraq and Tunisia, and being the child of North African refugee indigenous people, I was deemed the ‘wrong kind’ of Jewish because I refused to consistently criticize Israel or question its right to exist.
Since before October 7th, you’ve been significant in championing Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Given this role, how do you handle the intense anti-Israel sentiment directed towards you?
Experiencing hostility both online and offline is an unfortunate reality for me, as I’ve faced verbal assaults on the streets, not just in London or America, but elsewhere too. Antisemitism, although politically correct within the U.K., can manifest subtly, particularly when discussions revolve around Israel. The rise of such sentiments has led to a surge in incidents, with synagogues being torched and Jewish individuals becoming targets of street attacks. A chilling example occurred recently in Paris where a 12-year-old Jewish girl was brutally raped, and the perpetrator admitted his actions were motivated by Palestine. The increasing number of such hate crimes against Jews worldwide is truly alarming.
Do you have security now?
I don’t go out very often, but when I do, I usually wear a hat and try to steer clear of arguments that occur about once a week. I’m prepared to deal with any consequences since I believe deeply in the justness of my beliefs.
As a passionate observer, it’s intriguing to witness the way Hollywood addresses such complex topics. Lately, I’ve noticed a significant event: around 400 SAG members penned a letter advocating for the protection of pro-Palestinian members from potential career repercussions – which they labeled as a “McCarthyist suppression.” This choice of words subtly implies the existence of a clandestine group in Hollywood, but it’s crucial to remember that this could simply be an allegation and not reflective of the broader community’s attitudes.
The letter spoke very movingly about the Palestinians civilians lost to this war but said nothing of any Jewish losses. Not the 1,200 murdered on Oct. 7 — not even the six hostages shot point blank, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, earlier this month. These celebrities are not standing up for people that are being oppressed. They’re joining a massive mob. And if you need any evidence on how sinister it is, you see people like Lizzo, canceled for alleged sexual harassment and horrific behavior to her team, making a comeback on the back of Palestine, saying that she stands with Palestine. That’s how she is exonerated from being canceled. Jews are always careful and very vigilant when we see a populist cause gaining traction — because we are often the ones that are being scapegoated.
What is the Tel Aviv Institute?
Six years ago, Dr. Ron Katz from UC Berkeley, a specialist in rhetoric and propaganda, and I began our endeavor. Established as a 501(c) nonprofit organization based in the United States, we chose to call ourselves the Tel Aviv Institute, reflecting our shared values that resonate with the vibrant city of Tel Aviv. Our initial focus was on investigating online antisemitism, collaborating with Dr. Matthias Becker, a researcher from Berlin University, and his team of nine linguists and data scientists who scrutinized social media content. Their findings revealed that Jews are disproportionately targeted with hate speech online, with the Jewish community being the second most vulnerable group, surpassed only by the gay community. Recognizing the need for change, we decided to take action.
Approximately three years ago, we launched the Jews Talk Justice Labs. This initiative unites social media influencers who are Jewish and have large followings, as well as those outside of social media. Most of our events took place in Tel Aviv, Israel, but we’ve also held a few in New York City. Recently, we had a one-day lab in Los Angeles that featured Debra Messing, Jennifer Goodwin, and Emmanuelle Chriqui among its attendees.
Besides you, who is speaking out on behalf of Israel most effectively?
Amy Schumer has shared and re-posted quite a bit of your content on her Instagram, a truly wonderful gesture, and the two of you exchange messages through private messages.
Let’s discuss her. I believe she serves as an interesting example. Starting from October 7th, she was among the most vocal and consistent supporters of Israel among celebrities – but it didn’t work out well for her. I can’t help but wonder about the potential long-term impact on her career. Another example is Jerry Seinfeld handling hecklers in his shows. Currently, Steven Spielberg is facing criticism as a “Zionist.
The interpretation of Zionism has evolved significantly and encompasses numerous additional aspects. Essentially, Zionism signifies advocating for Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state. In other words, it expresses the idea that Jews deserve to have a unique homeland on Earth. Considering there are 57 Arab and Muslim nations in the Middle East and numerous European countries with predominantly Christian populations, it seems only fair to have a Jewish nation as well.
As a passionate advocate, I’ve noticed that the rebranding of Zionism has been so mismanaged that anyone in the entertainment industry who expresses their Jewish identity faces significant backlash. It’s unfair to bear such consequences for simply embracing one’s heritage. Many prominent figures privately reach out to me on social media, thanking me for speaking up, but they’re too afraid to do so publicly due to fear of repercussions. I’m referring to major stars in the entertainment world here. One renowned singer confided in me, “My career is intertwined with a vast network, and if I openly support this cause, it’s not just my reputation at stake; it’s the livelihood of my entire team.
How about Michael Rappaport’s stance on Israel? It seems quite intense, leaning heavily in favor of Israel. I wonder if perhaps he veers too far to one side? Could his views potentially be damaging to the overall cause?
It seems to me that a greater number of individuals in the entertainment industry and those with significant influence should voice their opinions on certain matters. I don’t believe this would harm the cause, rather, I see it as simply an expression of personal beliefs, and he has every right to express them. Of course, I may not always concur with his views, and at times, our styles may differ, but at least he’s taking a stand. He’s making his voice heard, which deserves recognition. Given my personal experiences with daily hatred, it’s understandably tough not to react more forcefully when faced with such circumstances.
Lately, there’s been a stirring incident involving Brandt Joel, an agent at WME. He found himself in the spotlight for typing “Screw the left, kill all” in a Jewish work WhatsApp group. I’m intrigued to hear your thoughts on these WhatsApp groups that have emerged in Hollywood since October 7th.
I belong to multiple WhatsApp groups, including ones focused on entertainment, and I often witness intense anger within these groups. After being involved for more than ten years, I’m less emotionally affected, but it’s clear how someone could become upset and end up saying things they later regret. I frequently communicate with numerous celebrities and figures from the entertainment industry who express concerns about the impact of these groups on their mental wellbeing. My recommendation is to take a break, go outside, and connect with nature, as it’s crucial for our mental health.
At Eurovision, it was clear that Israel received an overwhelming amount of public votes. But could social media be influencing our perception of true public opinion?
Yes. The answer is a resounding yes.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
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2024-09-18 18:02