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.
