Under-fire Hollywood Celebs Backing Palestinian Basic Human Rights
From supermodels to A-listers in Tinseltown, demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians comes at a cost
Over 50 Hollwyood celebrities and prominent voices including Mahershala Ali, Riz Ahmed, Ramy Youssef, Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett and Jon Stewart signed an open letter over the weekend, demanding President Biden call a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
Amidst the escalating violence, with Israel's brutal retaliation causing the deaths of over 5000 Palestinian civilians, a minority is harnessing their celebrity and the power of social media to shine a light on what the UN defines as “war crimes”.
Inevitably, many are being labeled as anti-Semitic and threatened with being 'canceled.'
AMT profiles some of the most influential figures in the world of entertainment who consistently use their star power to express their stance on this issue, which has been festering for decades:
Hadid Sisters’ Long-standing Support for the Palestinian Cause
The Palestinian-Dutch supermodels Gigi and Bella have consistently used their social media platforms to advocate for Palestinian rights. While proudly showcasing their Palestinian heritage, they frequently refer to Israel's 'illegal' occupation of their land.
Their father, luxury real-estate developer Mohamed Hadid, hails from Nazareth. Following their strong condemnation of what Human Rights Watch termed Israel's 'apartheid' system, there have been reports that the Hadids had to change their phone numbers due to death threats.
One of Gigi's early posts received significant criticism from her Israeli and Jewish fans. The post read, 'There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic, and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas.'
The government of Israel responded with a threatening message, 'Have you been sleeping the past week?' Alongside a picture of a child's bloodied bedroom, the post continued, 'Or are you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being harmed in their homes? Your silence makes your stance very clear. We see you.’
Zara Larsson Hits Bluntly on ‘Double Standards’
Swedish popstar Zara Larsson posted a photo of herself in an Instagram story with the caption, "Oh so it's stand with Ukraine when Russia invades but not Palesti-" hinting at what she perceived as hypocrisy in international support for different conflicts.
Larsson's statement sparked a heated debate among her followers. Some applauded her for shedding light on what they perceived as a double standard, while others were quick to criticize her for her 'limited' knowledge of complex geopolitical issues.
Emma Watson and Sarandon Support Via Artists for Palestine UK
Harry Potter star Emma Watson found herself in the midst of a heated dispute when her post showing support for a pro-Palestinian protest with the words 'solidarity is a verb' was labeled as anti-Semitic.
While drawing strong criticism from Israeli officials, she was quickly backed by leading faces from the film fraternity including actress and activist Susan Sarandon, who joined the likes of Artists for Palestine UK, a cultural network ‘standing together for Palestinian rights’, to issue a letter.
It stated, “We join Emma Watson in support of the simple statement that ‘solidarity is a verb’, including meaningful solidarity with Palestinians struggling for their human rights under international law.”
Sarandon, who visited Palestine a few years ago, reiterated her support on several occasions, calling out Israel for its colonialism and apartheid.
The actress was also among over one hundred celebrities who condemned Israel’s designation of 6 Palestinian human rights groups as "terrorist organizations" in an open letter in November last year, along with Tilda Swinton, Richard Gere, Simon Pegg, and Mark Ruffalo.
Viola Davis Shines the Spotlight on ‘Ethical Cleansing’ of Palestinians
The acclaimed Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis showed her solidarity with Palestine in 2020 when an Israeli court forcibly evicted Palestinian families from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
She shared a post pointing out how Jordan and The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) had reached an agreement in 1956, in which families were promised housing and land in Sheikh Jarrah, and will receive ownership titles after 3 years. However, this never happened as Israel conquered East Jerusalem and was involved in ‘ethical cleansing’ before the titles materialized.
Davis provided historical details, as she highlighted how Israel annexed the West Bank and Gaza, a move that is not recognized internationally.
Popstar Dua Lipa Promotes Fundraiser for Children in Gaza
Dua Lipa, who is of Muslim descent, expressed her solidarity with the people of Gaza amid the ongoing war by sharing a Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) fundraiser, highlighting the unprecedented suffering in Gaza, where 2.2 million people, half of them children, continue to endure unimaginable hardships.
She said in a post, “For now, I desperately hope for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge governments to halt the unfolding crisis. Our hope lies in finding the empathy to recognize this dire humanitarian situation.”
