An email sent to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in July 2014 included a list of prominent figures labelled as 'Anti-Israel celebrities'. The communication, which originated from JNS News, highlighted several high-profile individuals for their public stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Celebrities Named in the Epstein Email
The document specifically named former One Direction star Zayn Malik, acclaimed British actress Dame Emma Thompson, Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz, and legendary musician Stevie Wonder. The email was sent by JNS News, which later published an article on the same topic, criticising these celebrities for their positions.
Zayn Malik's Inclusion
Zayn Malik, originally from Bradford, was included at the peak of his One Direction fame. The email excerpt noted that the singer had posted the hashtag #FreePalestine on his Twitter account during the 2014 conflict between Israel and Hamas. Unlike some other celebrities who removed similar posts, Malik kept his online, garnering nearly 200,000 retweets. Following this social media activity, Malik reportedly faced a barrage of death threats, yet he has continued to express support for Palestine on his platforms.
Emma Thompson's Advocacy
Dame Emma Thompson was listed due to her involvement in calling for a boycott of an Israeli theatre company's performance in London. The actress co-signed a letter published in The Guardian newspaper that criticised the Habima Theatre for its alleged involvement with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem
Penelope Cruz, alongside her husband Javier Bardem, was referenced for signing an open letter that described Israel's military operation in Gaza as 'genocide'. The couple's public stance drew attention from the news outlet compiling the list.
Stevie Wonder's Performance Withdrawal
Music icon Stevie Wonder was mentioned for his decision to withdraw from a performance at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala in Los Angeles in 2012. This action was highlighted as an example of what the article termed anti-Israel sentiment among celebrities.
Additional Figures and Context
The email also drew Epstein's attention to other notable personalities including Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, comedian Russell Brand, and actors Danny Glover and Dustin Hoffman. Roger Waters was specifically cited for his support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and for controversial imagery used in his concerts.
The JNS News article was written nine years before the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in significant loss of life. The email represents a historical snapshot of how certain media outlets were documenting celebrity involvement in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Since the time of the email, Zayn Malik has relocated to the United States, fathered a child with supermodel Gigi Hadid, and established a solo career, currently performing a residency in Las Vegas. The revelations about this communication add another layer to the complex legacy of Jeffrey Epstein's connections and the ongoing debates surrounding celebrity activism in international politics.
