Palestinian-American supermodel Gigi Hadid has sparked controversy with her recent social media post regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The 28-year-old model, known for her activism, faced criticism for her now-deleted Instagram post, which accused Israel of detaining children as prisoners of war and alleged longstanding violence against Palestinians.
The contentious post included an image of Ahmed Almanasra, a Palestinian youth arrested by Israeli authorities in 2015 at the age of 13. Almanasra and his brother were convicted for stabbing an Israeli security guard and another young boy, leading to an initial 12-year sentence for Almanasra, later reduced to 9.5 years. Hadid claimed Almanasra has endured solitary confinement despite his severe health condition.
This social media activity comes during a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, which has seen the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. However, Hadid's post did not resonate well with some social media users, leading to calls for her modeling agency to cut ties with her.
Gigi Hadid, along with her sister Bella Hadid, has been an outspoken supporter of the Palestinian cause. Their father, Mohamed Anwar Hadid, was born into a Palestinian Muslim family in Nazareth in 1948 and fled to Syria during the 1947-1949 Palestine War. The Hadid family's journey as refugees is a significant part of their narrative, with Mohamed Hadid detailing his family's displacement on social media.
Gigi's stance on the Israel-Palestine issue has previously led to death threats and intense scrutiny. Similarly, her sister Bella Hadid has also been vocal about her support for Palestine, often sharing her views on social media. In a recent post, Bella mentioned receiving death threats and feeling her family was in danger due to her outspokenness.
The situation has also impacted their professional lives. Reports emerged that Bella Hadid was replaced by Israeli model May Tager in a Dior ad campaign, though no official statement confirmed this. The Associated Press reported that Bella's contract with the brand had ended before the latest conflict, and Tager had previously featured in Dior campaigns.
The conflict in Gaza has drawn attention and support from various celebrities. While some, like professional boxer Younes Bendijima and singer Zara Larsson, have expressed support for Palestine, others have shown solidarity with Israel. Notably, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino visited an Israeli base to boost the Israel Defence Forces' morale, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advocating an end to "murderous propaganda."
Gigi Hadid's recent post underscores the complex and polarizing nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting the impact of celebrity activism on public discourse surrounding this longstanding issue.
