Zayn Malik, Emma Thompson, Penelope Cruz, Stevie Wonder, Roger Waters and others stars named in 2014 Epstein email

Emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s files include a 2014 list of A-list celebrities labelled ‘anti-Israel’

Newly surfaced emails from the Jeffrey Epstein files include a 2014 message that listed high-profile figures described by the sender as “anti-Israel celebrities,” drawing fresh attention and discussion online this week. The email, sent to the disgraced financier by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) in July 2014, apparently detailed a list of public figures accused in the accompanying article of making false or controversial statements about Israel’s policies. It then went on to outline their commercial endorsements and brand ties.

Among those named were British singer Zayn Malik, celebrated for his support of Palestine on social media during the height of his fame with One Direction; British actress Emma Thompson, included for her calls to boycott certain cultural institutions over their links with Israel; Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem, noted for signed statements critical of Israeli military operations; legendary musician Stevie Wonder, referenced due to his withdrawal from an event supporting Israeli defence forces; and Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, known for his outspoken support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The JNS email appears to have circulated alongside an article produced by the news organisation, which claimed these celebrities had made statements or taken actions that it characterised as unjustly critical of Israel. The article, published at the time, juxtaposed those positions with the celebrities’ visible commercial engagements to suggest broader reputational implications for their activism, though it offered no evidence of any connection between the listed individuals and Epstein’s personal activities.

At the time Malik was singled out for his public use of the hashtag #FreePalestine, which attracted significant attention and backlash, including online abuse. The inclusion of his name on this list reflects how politically charged discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were even a decade ago. Emma Thompson’s presence stemmed from her involvement in calls for cultural boycotts, while Cruz and Bardem’s criticism of Israeli military actions dated to their signing of a public letter describing the 2014 Gaza conflict in stark terms. Stevie Wonder’s withdrawal from a gala supporting an Israeli organisation and Waters’ association with BDS tactics rounded out the varied reasons cited for celebrities making the list.

Importantly, the mere presence of these names in an email circulated to Epstein does not imply any inappropriate relationship with him, nor does it suggest that the email’s characterisation of their political views was accurate. The original piece was framed by JNS’s editorial stance and was reflective of media debates at the time about celebrity activism and the risks, real or perceived, that public figures might face when they speak out on contentious geopolitical issues. The messages were part of a broader set of documents released in recent months that have renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network of contacts and communications.