Taylor Lorenz’s Power User He Was Tortured in an Israeli Prison for Speaking Out
Nov 7, 2025
Tommy Marcus, known as Quentin Quarantino, is a humanitarian fundraiser who became famous for his activism during the pandemic. In this conversation, he shares his harrowing experience of being detained by the IDF while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. He discusses his transformation from a pro-Israel stance to recognizing the atrocities occurring in the region. Tommy describes the cruel conditions he faced in an Israeli super prison and how it reshaped his beliefs about power and justice, alongside his ongoing mission to amplify Palestinian voices.
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From Propaganda To Reckoning
- Tommy initially relied on Zionist sources and leaned toward pro-Israel narratives during early coverage.
- He later recognized that his early posts effectively amplified Israeli propaganda.
Accusations Silenced Honest Coverage
- Tommy felt silenced after facing accusations of antisemitism even when he was not critical of Israel.
- Aggressive pushback from pro-Israel groups forced him to self-censor for a period.
Gradual Shift Driven By Visual Evidence
- Tommy gradually shifted after watching Palestinian journalists, researching, and seeing videos of deliberate cruelty.
- He cites repeated incidents, like military trucks ramming a bus, as pivotal in changing his view.