Jfeed's Antisemite of the day: Shaiel Ben-Ephraim

Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, a former UCLA postdoctoral fellow and self-described “Liberal Zionist” turned anti-Zionist commentator, has ignited a firestorm of controversy with recent posts on X that critics label as antisemitic, anti-Jewish, and anti-Israel. Once known for his scholarly work on Israeli history and U.S.-Israel relations, Ben-Ephraim’s shift in rhetoric, particularly following his public disavowal of Zionism, has drawn sharp condemnation from Jewish communities and pro-Israel advocates, while others defend his critique as a legitimate reckoning with Israel’s policies.

A Shift from Zionism to Anti-Zionism

Ben-Ephraim, who holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Calgary, built his career analyzing the Arab-Israeli conflict and Israeli strategic culture. His work, including publications on Labor Zionism and the Israel-Sudan normalization treaty, positioned him as a respected voice in Israel studies. However, in recent years, his views have shifted dramatically. In a June 2025 Substack essay titled “Why I Turned My Back on Zionism,” Ben-Ephraim described Zionism as an ideology that “dehumanized Palestinians” and justified their “displacement and suffering.” He cited Israel’s military actions in Gaza, including hospital bombings and sniper attacks on civilians, as reasons for his disillusionment, labeling these actions as part of a broader “genocide.”

This shift was amplified on X, where Ben-Ephraim, posting under the handle @academic_la, made statements that critics argue cross into antisemitic territory. In an April 2025 post, he declared that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, prompting varied reactions: some Israeli followers engaged thoughtfully, while others, particularly diaspora Jews, accused him of making his identity “about attacking Israel.” A more inflammatory August 2025 post sarcastically listed justifications for “starving children,” “targeting journalists,” and “destroying hospitals,” questioning the morality of those defending Israel’s actions. Critics, including the account @transjewtalian, branded these statements as unprincipled and accused Ben-Ephraim of exploiting anti-Zionism for personal gain, referencing his past controversies.

Accusations of Antisemitism

The accusations against Ben-Ephraim hinge on whether his critiques of Israel veer into antisemitism. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism includes “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination” and “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” as potential antisemitic acts. Ben-Ephraim’s rejection of Zionism and his use of terms like “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza have been cited by critics as aligning with these definitions. A prominent Jewish organization condemned his rhetoric as “dangerously inflammatory,” arguing it fuels anti-Jewish sentiment by singling out Israel disproportionately.

In a May 2025 Reddit post on the r/JewsOfConscience subreddit, Ben-Ephraim admitted to previously denying genocide in Gaza but changed his stance, citing “undeniable” evidence of atrocities. This admission, while praised by some anti-Zionist Jewish activists, was met with outrage by pro-Israel groups, who argued it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Jews and Israel. One X user, @StopAntisemites, compared his rhetoric to equating Zionism with the KKK, a trope they deemed antisemitic for demonizing Jewish self-determination.

Ben-Ephraim’s defenders, however, argue that his critiques target Israeli policy, not Jews as a people, but a deeper dive into his many X posts reveals something quite different. And it takes a dark turn when you look into his personal history. In 2020, he faced allegations of sexual harassment, including inappropriate messages to minors, leading to his departure from UCLA’s Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. These allegations, reported by the *Daily Bruin*, have resurfaced in critiques of his character, with one X user calling him a “sexual predator” who shifted to anti-Zionism as a “grift.” While Ben-Ephraim admitted to “inappropriate communications,” the unresolved nature of these claims adds fuel to the perception that his recent rhetoric is opportunistic.

His posts also reflect a broader trend of polarizing discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 361% surge in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with 58% of 2024 incidents involving anti-Israel rhetoric. Ben-Ephraim’s statements, particularly his use of “genocide,” echo sentiments at anti-Israel protests, where slogans like “From the river to the sea” have been flagged as antisemitic by the IHRA for implying Israel’s destruction. His rhetoric risks normalizing such tropes, especially given his academic background and platform.

Response and Implications

Ben-Ephraim isn’t just fanning the flames of Israel’s fiercest critics, he’s handing them the matches. When a Jew uses his platform to smear his own people, it isn’t bravery or dissent, it’s betrayal. In an age when antisemitism is roaring back in the streets and on the screens, his words don’t just echo; they arm the mob.

To show you exactly what he feels about his fellow Jews, in his latest post on X, he celebrated attacks on Israe;lis all over Europe. That's the kind of Jew he is. Honestly, we would be better off without him.