In a lengthy statement posted on her Instagram account on Tuesday, Hadid wrote that her thoughts are with all those affected by the “unjustifiable tragedy” that has claimed hundreds of lives in both Gaza and Israel. She said that while she has hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person. She emphasized that the terrorizing of innocent people goes against the principles of the “Free Palestine” movement and only fuels a cycle of retaliation.
“The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back-and-forth retaliation (which no innocent civilian, Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to be a casualty of), and helps perpetuate the false idea that being Pro-Palestine = antisemitic,” she wrote.
She also acknowledged the complexity and diversity of opinions and emotions among her friends and followers, both Palestinian and Jewish. She said that every human being is deserving of basic rights and security regardless of their nationality, religion, ethnicity, or where they were born. She concluded by saying that she prays for the safety of innocent lives, always.
Conflict escalates after Hamas attacks
Hadid’s statement comes amid a surge of violence and tension in the region, sparked by Israeli attempts to evict Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem, a territory that Israel occupied in 1967 and annexed in a move not recognized by most of the international community. The evictions triggered protests and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces, which escalated into rocket attacks by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, and airstrikes by Israel.
According to health officials, more than 900 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began on October 6, including at least 200 children. More than 4,500 have been wounded. Israel says it has killed more than 300 militants and destroyed dozens of tunnels and rocket launchers. On the Israeli side, more than 1,200 people have been killed, mostly by rocket fire from Gaza. More than 5,000 have been injured.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, restricting the movement of people and goods in and out of the enclave. It has also cut off water, fuel, and electricity supplies to the territory, creating a humanitarian crisis for its two million residents. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israeli troops have massed at the border with Gaza, raising fears of a possible ground invasion.
The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself but also urged it to avoid civilian casualties. President Joe Biden has dispatched his envoy to the region to mediate between the parties.
Celebrities weigh in on the crisis
Hadid is not the only celebrity who has voiced their opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Many other stars have taken to social media to express their solidarity with either side or call for an end to the violence. Some have faced backlash or criticism for their views or their silence.
Among those who have spoken out in favor of Palestine are singers Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Zayn Malik, Halsey, Roger Waters, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, actors Mark Ruffalo, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Gal Gadot (who is Israeli), comedians Trevor Noah, Sarah Silverman (who is Jewish), Amy Schumer (who is Jewish), John Oliver (who is British), writers J.K. Rowling (who is British), Stephen King (who is American), Naomi Klein (who is Canadian), politicians Bernie Sanders (who is Jewish), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (who is American), Ilhan Omar (who is Somali-American), Rashida Tlaib (who is Palestinian-American), Jeremy Corbyn (who is British), Justin Trudeau (who is Canadian), among others.
Among those who have spoken out in favor of Israel are singers Madonna (who is American), Demi Lovato (who is American), actors Mayim Bialik (who is Jewish), Seth Rogen (who is Jewish), Sacha Baron Cohen (who is British-Jewish), Natalie Portman (who is Israeli-American), writers J.D. Salinger (who was Jewish), David Grossman (who is Israeli), politicians Donald Trump (who is American), Boris Johnson (who is British), Angela Merkel (who is German), Emmanuel Macron (who is French), among others.
Some celebrities have chosen to remain silent or neutral on the issue, either because they do not want to alienate their fans or because they do not feel informed enough to comment. Some of these include singers Taylor Swift (who is American), Beyoncé (who is American), Ed Sheeran (who is British), actors Leonardo DiCaprio (who is American), Tom Cruise (who is American), Emma Watson (who is British), writers George R.R. Martin (who is American), Margaret Atwood (who is Canadian), politicians Barack Obama (who is American), Kamala Harris (who is American), among others.
