A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Max Blumenthal

Max Blumenthal

American journalist, author, and founder of The Grayzone

Friend of PalestineNot Palestinian, and stood with Palestine
Born
18 December 1977
Born in
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Read Max’s story2 videosAsk about Max

Why Max is here

Max Blumenthal is recognized for his relentless journalism and authorship that exposes the harsh realities of life under Israeli occupation, advocating for Palestinian rights and self-determination.

Their story

Max Blumenthal, born in Boston in 1977, is an American journalist, author and filmmaker. He has written for The Nation, Al Akhbar and Mondoweiss, among others, and edits The Grayzone, a website he founded that is sharply critical of US foreign policy and has drawn controversy for its coverage of other governments.

His books Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel (2013) and The 51 Day War (2015), on the 2014 assault on Gaza, documented the occupation from the ground and brought him both a wide readership among supporters of Palestine and fierce criticism from Israel's defenders.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Max’s path.

  1. 1977

    Born in Boston, Massachusetts

    Blumenthal was raised in a politically active family, which significantly influenced his career in journalism and activism.

  2. 2013

    Published Goliath

    Life and Loathing in Greater Israel (2013): This book became a seminal work in documenting the rise of the Israeli far-right and its impact on Palestinians, earning Blumenthal both acclaim and controversy.

  3. 2016

    Founded The Grayzone

    Established The Grayzone project, initially sponsored by AlterNet; it became independent in 2018.

  4. 2014

    Awarded the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award

    He received this award for his book Goliath, recognizing his contribution to human rights through literature and journalism.

  5. 2015

    Published The 51 Day War

    Ruin and Resistance in Gaza (2015): This book documents the 2014 Gaza War, providing an in-depth look at the human cost of the conflict and further solidifying Blumenthal's role as a key voice in exposing the realities of the Israeli occupation.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Exposure of Israeli Policies Through Goliath

    In his book Goliath, Blumenthal provides a detailed account of Israeli society’s shift to the far-right and its devastating effects on Palestinians, bringing global attention to the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians under Israeli rule.

    Watch

  2. Chronicling the Gaza War

    Blumenthal’s work in The 51 Day War offers a harrowing portrayal of the 2014 Gaza conflict, documenting the destruction and resistance within Gaza, and highlighting the human rights violations committed during the war.

  3. Founding of The Grayzone

    Through The Grayzone, Blumenthal has created a platform that amplifies marginalized voices and provides critical analysis of U.S. and Israeli policies affecting Palestine, contributing significantly to public discourse on these issues.

  4. Advocacy Through Film and Media

    Blumenthal has utilized various media, including documentaries and articles, to advocate for Palestinian rights, focusing on exposing the realities of the occupation to a global audience.

  5. Highlighting the Concept of "Politicide"

    In his writings, Blumenthal explores the idea of "politicide"—the systematic destruction of Palestinian political and cultural identity by the Israeli state—adding a critical lens to the understanding of Israeli-Palestinian dynamics.

    Watch

Ask about Max

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Max’s profile.

Max’s guide AI

Answers come from Max’s profile on this page. It isn’t Max, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Max?

Ask in your own words about Max’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Watch & listen

Max in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Exposure of Israeli Policies Through Goliath↗

  • 02Highlighting the Concept of "Politicide"↗

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Max Blumenthal’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Friends of Palestine

All 51 in Friends of Palestine