The Grifter Identification Guide
Since the dawn of time, grifters have been a nuisance to activists and movements, taking advantage of vulnerabilities exacerbated by conflict or struggle. These grifters have nothing to offer but much to gain, usually in the form of financial rewards and social media growth. They attach themselves to crises for relevance, often amplifying narratives of victimhood or provoking outrage to stay visible, collecting followers who believe in their rhetoric without recognizing the contradictions in their positions.
Some individuals claim to support Israel publicly, but their actions or affiliations reveal a hidden sympathy for Hamas or other extremist agendas. They may avoid clear condemnations of Hamas while promoting vague calls for “peace,” which mask underlying support for pro-Hamas narratives. These figures often make sweeping promises about fostering peace, protecting Israel, or combating terrorism, yet offer no clear plan or policy to accomplish these goals. Their words don’t translate into tangible, meaningful support for the Jewish state or Israeli citizens.
What to Look For:
These grifters focus on self-promotion. Instead of genuinely supporting Israel, they use the conflict as a platform to elevate their own status. Their efforts center on self-branding, fundraising, and publicity, framing themselves as thought leaders while diverting attention from the real issues Israelis face. Their posts are often about themselves, their “side projects,” and their brand. They offer little to no substance when it comes to activism.
They may even present themselves as experts on Middle Eastern politics, peace activists, or counterterrorism specialists, yet their qualifications are often exaggerated or ambiguous. Without genuine ties to pro-Israel causes, they rely on loosely defined associations or overstated credentials to gain followers and credibility.
Grifters love money and fame. When asking for donations (which they’re guaranteed to do), they may vaguely mention “supporting peace” or “protecting Israeli communities” but provide little detail on how funds are allocated. Financial accountability is often missing, and any inquiry into their spending might be met with hostility or deflection.
I hope you found this helpful. This article in no way references any specific activist, person, or organization. Feel free to add to this list and adopt different strategies to identify grifters.