Mayim Bialik Faces Fresh Backlash

Former Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik is facing a fresh round of backlash after sharing a video on Instagram in which she suggested that people with certain views on the Israel-Hamas conflict might be antisemitic.

The TV personality, who on Friday revealed that she had been dropped as a Jeopardy! co-host after more than two years in the role, was shown the day before in a video featuring herself with Israeli actor and activist Noa Tishby.

In the video, they addressed viewpoints that have been shared on heightened tensions in the region after Hamas on October 7 led a surprise attack on Israel, which it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation. More than 200 people were taken hostage in the attack.

Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground invasion. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the Associated Press has reported, and more than 17,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, the AP says.

With the discourse around the conflict proving to be contentious over the past several weeks, Bialik teamed up for her video with Tishby, who told viewers: "You might be an antisemite if you actually think that the Jews or the Israelis doctored the videos Hamas themselves took of themselves barbarically slaughtering a bunch of Jews."

Bialik then chimed in by taking a swipe at Pink Floyd vocalist Roger Waters, who is known to take an outspoken pro-Palestinian stance.

"If you in any way think that you don't really know what went on on October 7th—Roger Waters I'm talking to you—you might be an antisemite," Bialik said. "If you think that that footage in some way is not reflecting exactly what happened as it was broadcast from the GoPros on the terrorists' heads, sorry folks, you might be an antisemite.

Bialik addressed the assertion from some who "think that the solution to what is going on in the Middle East is that the Jews should just go back to where they came from," asking Tishby to explain why this stance was disagreeable.

"The Jews have originated in Judea. This is actually Israel, the Jewish people came from Israel. There has been a Jewish presence in the land of Israel for thousands of years. The Jews are the indigenous people of the land of Israel, so there's nowhere to go back to."

Bialik interjected: "And if you think we should go somewhere, you might be an antisemite."

As the video concluded, Tishby said: "Being an antisemite can also mean that you're subconsciously biased about the Jews. So you don't necessarily think you're at this level. You have subconscious biases about the Jewish people."

Back in October, Bialik divided opinion when she took to social media to share the final messages of a victim of the Hamas attacks on Israeli settlements. In an emotional video, she read out "text messages sent from the last moments of people's lives in Israel."

While many supported her for speaking out, her decision to share only messages from a victim from Israel, and no Palestinians, sparked backlash.

The most recent post on the conflict, which was shared by Tishby, sparked outrage among a number of social media users, who flooded the comments section with opposing views.

"How about the segment 'You might be a genocide supporter, if...'?" asked one detractor, in reference to the Palestinians facing strikes in Gaza.

"Antisemitism is hating someone BECAUSE they are Jewish," stated another. "Most people are disgusted with Israel now because of how they are killing babies and children in Gaza, the disgust is not because of their religion."

"You might be a narcissist if you think everyone is [antisemitic] because you don't agree the bombing of innocent people by Israel," wrote another.

"Very disappointed in this take, Mayim," said another. "Running to defend your own identity while an ethnic cleansing of people with another is happening in real time? Bad taste —and worse, pro-genocidal bull.

"This video has so much attitude and arrogance. I didn't expect it from you. Hamas is bad, but Israel has become a monster fueled by the West. I know, no sense in announcing it, but another follower lost. I hope you gain compassion."

"All that education Mayim and you don't know how to apply nuance to a situation," another opined. "Imagine watching babies killed in thousands and only focusing on how to label opposition to genocide as antisemitism."

Another commented: "From one fellow Jew to another—Conflating Israel which is a country with a Jewish identity—very dangerous territory. The Israeli government is just that—a Government. And as a government, they can and do lie and produce propaganda.

"I am not suggesting that Oct. 7 atrocities didn't happen but questioning some of the claims is not inherently antisemitic especially when these very claims are being weaponized to justify a very brutal bombing campaign in Gaza.

"And also claiming that October 7 was about slaughtering Jews—also false. It was an attack on the national identity of Israel. Muslim Israelis, alongside Jewish Israelis, were killed and kidnapped as hostages. Calling anything and anyone that [criticizes] Israel as 'antisemitic' is extremely dangerous, and actually leads to more REAL antisemitism. As a Jew, you do not have a right to speak in my name, or all of us as a people."

Amid the wave of criticism, Bialik and Tishby also received support for the post.

"You might be an antisemite if you tell Israel how they should respond to the worst massacre since the Holocaust," wrote one. "We will never surrender to terrorists and we will always fight to protect our own."

"It's unbelievable how much hate people have in them," said another supporter. "Keep going girls. Don't mind the small-brain people."

"Israel is not trying to wipe out ALL Palestinians the way that Hamas wants to kill ALL Jews," another commented.

Jeopardy! bosses have been accused of antisemitism following the announcement that Bialik would not be returning to host the show, after sharing presenting duties with Ken Jennings since 2021. Some fans appeared to assume that Bialik lost the coveted role because of her posts regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In a statement, Jeopardy! said that the show was continuing with Jennings as the sole host from next season to "maintain continuity for our viewers."

Newsweek has contacted representatives of Jeopardy! and Bialik via email for comment.

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