Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism has published a controversial report detailing an alleged list of the top ten most influential individuals labeled as ‘anti-Semite and anti-Zionist’ influencers for the year 2025. This high-profile announcement appears designed to monitor and categorize public opinion in the highly charged geopolitical arena surrounding Israel and the broader conflict in the Middle East.
According to the ministry, the list contains ten people who, critically, do not hold formal political or governmental posts. Instead, the ranking is determined by a combination of two factors: the individual’s level of public influence and the degree of ‘risk’ posed by their statements. This risk is measured by the frequency with which the Israeli ministry claims the person has issued anti-Semitic or anti-Israeli remarks.
The controversy is heightened by the identities of those featured. Several of the top names are based in the United States, including notable figures such as conservative journalist Tucker Carlson, far-right activist Nick Fuentes, and commentator Candace Owens. Other prominent names include Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who has become increasingly outspoken in support of the Palestinian cause, and lifestyle influencer Dan Bilzarian, who was listed in the top spot. The selection of these internationally recognized figures has guaranteed significant media attention and debate regarding the scope and criteria used by the Israeli government to define ‘anti-Semitism.’
Noteworthy dissenting voices have challenged the legitimacy of the list. Specifically, Abdel Bari Atwan, a British-Palestinian journalist who was placed fifth on the ministry’s roster, questioned the report’s methodology. Atwan argued that the ministry was dangerously conflating robust political criticism of Israel’s armed policies—such as the ‘Israeli wars against Lebanon, against Iran, against Yemen, against Gaza’—with actual anti-Jewish sentiment. He pointed out that such accusations undermine freedom of speech and critical journalism.
Furthermore, the announcement coincided with rising indications of international scrutiny on Israeli policy. The context is underscored by an associated Pew Research Center poll, indicating a marked shift in US public perception. The data cited suggested that American adults’ views of Israel were increasingly unfavorable, a trend that was escalating amidst the ongoing conflict, particularly following military actions in the Gaza Strip and regional tensions like the escalation with Iran. Given this backdrop of geopolitical tension and changing global opinion, the ministry’s publication serves both as a public warning and potentially as a mechanism for domestic political discourse management.