Hen Mazzig is an Israeli writer, speaker, and social media influencer. He is also a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Mazzig served in the Israeli military facilitating humanitarian efforts to assist Palestinian civilians. After arriving in the United States, he worked for Hillel International and Stand With Us. He returned to Israel and started a social media company.
Mazzig is a staunch defender of Israel within the context of the Israel-Hamas War. He emphasizes the importance of careful word choice and framing in addressing Israel's actions, but has not commented to any extent on the importance of careful military action to mitigate innocent civilian casualties. Mazzig is the co-founder of the Tel Aviv Institute, an organization established in 2019 aimed at influencing younger audiences who are skeptical of traditional news media coverage and receive information from social media influencers.[6]
In August 2020, Mazzig started a viral movement, #JewishPrivilege, with Jews telling personal stories of discrimination and abuse.[7] In November 2020, Mazzig criticized a student Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions resolution passed at San Francisco State University.[8] In December 2020, Mazzig spoke to the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, commemorating the plight of 850,000 Jews were expelled from Arab lands to Israel after its creation.[9] He was a panelist, along with Arizona State Rep. Alma Hernandez, discussing antisemitism.[10]
In October 2022, Mazzig's first book, The Wrong Kind of Jew: A Mizrahi Manifesto, was published by Wicked Son Press.[11]
In April of 2024, Mazzig debated left-wing British commentator Owen Jones on Sky News regarding Israel's response to Hamas’ invasion of and attack on Israel on October 7.[12] [13]
In the summer and fall of 2024, Mazzig supported Vice President Kamala Harris's views on Israel and the humanity of Palestinians. His posts were shared by Pink, Amy Schumer, and Gal Gadot, and were turned into billboards in Times Square.
CNN commentator Van Jones described Mazzig as "someone who respects opposing points of view".