Pro Palis Turn on Jacob Berger, and It Isn't Pretty

Jacob Berger is a 40-year-old Jewish-American actor, viral content creator, and pro-Palestine activist based in New York City. With a background in mental health and substance abuse counseling (holding a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University), he transitioned to acting in 2010 and gained fame through sketch comedy videos starting in 2017, amassing over 3.5 million followers across social media platforms.

Berger rebranded himself as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. He used his platform to argue that the attacks were a response to decades of Israeli persecution since 1948, emphasizing "not in our name" as a Jewish voice against Israel's actions, and framing the Gaza situation as a genocide. From October 2024 onward, he spent time between NYC and Egypt, participating in humanitarian efforts for displaced Palestinians, which further boosted his visibility in the movement.

In July 2025, Berger joined the Handala vessel as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's mission to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver aid. The ship, carrying activists including Berger, was intercepted by Israeli forces on July 26, 2025, in international waters, leading to the abduction and detention of the crew. Berger recorded an SOS video beforehand, urging supporters to contact the U.S. State Department. He was among those detained but reportedly signed self-deportation papers voluntarily, which some critics later cited as abandoning fellow activists who went on hunger strikes during captivity. Upon his return to the U.S., he was greeted by supporters at JFK Airport, wearing a "GAZA" t-shirt and keffiyeh, and continued promoting the cause.

However, shortly after his release, the pro-Palestine community turned on Berger amid explosive allegations of exploitation, grifting, and sexual harassment. On August 1, 2025, prominent Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani (founder of Within Our Lifetime) posted a nine-point thread on X accusing him of using the movement for personal gain. She described him as a "failed ... creator" who rebranded to monetize activism through sponsorships, nonstop donation requests, and content creation. Specific grifting claims included bragging about a free apartment in Egypt while others worked, filming Palestinian children on a "field trip" without family consent to solicit donations, then blocking them when confronted. Kiswani also alleged he sexually harassed and fetishized Arab women, making multiple women feel unsafe in activist spaces. Within hours, more accusers emerged, sharing stories of harassment.

The backlash intensified with calls to remove him from pro-Palestine spaces, labeling him a "dangerous predator," "white savior," and performative activist who centered himself over Palestinian voices. Reddit threads and X discussions criticized his "weird vibes" in livestreams, self-promotion, and discouragement of genuine organizing. One accuser claimed he assaulted "Barney," prompting demands for his immediate exclusion. Berger responded in a video denying the claims as a "personal vendetta" stemming from a podcast interview critical of Kiswani, accusing her of causing "fitna" (division) in the community. High-profile supporters like Rashida Tlaib and Bassem Youssef, who had praised him, have not commented publicly on the allegations.

During a TikTok Live from the Handala mid-voyage, Berger allegedly boasted about women thanking him for his activism and said, "If you really want to thank me, send me [images]." This was shared in Kiswani's thread via a follower's message and highlighted in anti-Israel accounts like @JewsFightBack's August 3, 2025, post mocking it as "embarrassing" for Hamas supporters.

Berger was effectively "kicked out" of pro-Palestine circles due to these sexual abuse and harassment allegations, with activists demanding his removal from spaces to protect women and refocus on authentic voices. This marked the first major public infighting in the global intifada movement, with some labeling him a "Zio in keffiyeh" who inadvertently aided Zionism. The controversy continues to divide online discussions, with calls to unfollow him and prioritize Palestinian-led activism.

Berger, who worked so hard for "Palestinian" cause, now finds himself on the outs, which just goes to show that no matter how hard a Jew tries to hate his fellow Jews and spread vicious anti-Israel sentiment, it's bound to bounce back on him, and not in a good way.

We can't say we are sad about it, either.