Fashion model Bella Hadid has claimed she has lost numerous jobs due to her support of Palestine in the violent and ongoing conflict between the state and Israel.
Hadid and her sister, fellow model Gigi Hadid, are of Palestinian descent on their father's side; Mohamed Hadid is a Palestinian-Jordanian real estate mogul known for developing luxury mansions in the Los Angeles area.
The 25-year-old has faced backlash for vocalising her support for Palestinian rights amid the ongoing warfare, one of the world's most enduring conflicts. Gigi and singer Dua Lipa have also also been subjected to criticism after speaking out in support of the state.
During a recent interview on Libyan-American journalist Noor Tagouri's Rep podcast, Hadid candidly discussed the fallout she faced following her public support of Palestinian people, as well as the extent of the backlash she was subjected to both personally and professionally.
The 25-year-old claimed that if she had begun vocalising her views earlier in her career, she would not have received the "same recognition and respect" she has now.
Speaking to Tagouri, Hadid alleged that "so many" companies ceased working with her in the aftermath.
"A lot of friends have also turned their backs on me," she revealed. "I had friends that completely dropped me, like even friends I had been having dinner with at their home on Friday nights, for seven years, like now just won't let me at their house anymore."
Hadid also addressed the full-page advertisement in the New York Times that accused her, Gigi and Dua Lipa of anti-semitism. The ad, which ran in May 2021, was purchased by the World Values Network - a New York-based organisation that aims to "promote change" through traditional Jewish values.
As per Arab News, the full-page ad had condemned the part-Palestinian sisters as well as the British-Albanian popstar for showing solidarity with the people of Palestine.
"Bella, Gigi and Dua, Hamas calls for a second Holocaust. Condemn them now [sic]," read the headline of the advertisement, which took the form of a letter to the three stars. The advert was organised, produced and paid for by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the head of the World Values Network
The ad, which ran in the main section of the newspaper, also referred to Lipa and the Hadid sisters as "mega-influencers" who have "accused Israel of ethnic cleansing" and "vilified the Jewish State".
Hadid told Tagouri the paper had "sold their soul" by publishing the spot.
She also addressed a tweet by the State of Israel's official Twitter account in May last year that condemned her views on the conflict. In the tweet, the account - which is run by the digital diplomacy team in Israel's Foreign Ministry - claimed celebrities such as Hadid are "advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State".
"When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State," the account wrote.
"This shouldn't be an Israeli-Palestinian issue. This should be a human issue. Shame on you. #IsraelUnderAttack."
Addressing the tweet, Hadid told Tagouri: "I mean, Israel on Twitter tweeted at me. And what's interesting is that when I speak about Palestine, I get labelled as something that I'm not, but when I speak about the same thing that's happening there happening somewhere else in the world, it's honourable. So what's the difference?"
She also reaffirmed her commitment to publicly voicing her support for Palestine and its people, admitting she often experiences "overwhelming anxiety" about not saying the right thing.
"I have this overwhelming anxiety of not saying the right thing and not being what everybody needs me to be at all times," she said.
"But I've also realised that I have done my education enough, I know my family enough, I know my own history enough. And that should be enough."
In 2017, the supermodel condemned then-US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
In a scathing Instagram post, the then-21-year-old branded the announcement as "absurd, unfair and one-sided", revealing that hearing the news made her cry.
"Seeing the sadness of my father, cousins and Palestinian family that are feeling for our Palestinian ancestors makes this even harder to write," she added.
Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War, then later annexed it in a move not recognised internationally. Palestinians want it to be the capital of a future independent state - resolution of its status is fundamental to any peace-making.
"The TREATMENT of the Palestinian people is unfair, one-sided and should not be tolerated," Hadid continued at the time. "I stand with Palestine."
Back in May 2021, Hadid attended a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City and shared her thoughts on social media following the rally, writing: "The way my heart feels... To be around this many beautiful, smart, respectful, loving, kind, and generous Palestinians all in one place... It feels whole.
"Palestinian lives are the lives that will help change the world. And they are being taken from us by the second."
In a photo shared to her Instagram that day, Hadid added: "It has always been #freepalestine. ALWAYS.
"This is not about religion. This is not about spewing hate on one or the other. This is about Israeli colonization, ethnic cleansing, military occupation and apartheid over the Palestinian people that has been going on for YEARS.
"I stand with my Palestinian brothers and sisters, I will protect and support you as best as I can. I LOVE YOU. I feel for you. And I cry for you. I wish I could take away your pain. The pain of a father not being able to hug his wife or babies again. Of a mother who has to bury her child before she has the chance to watch them grow. Of children that are future artists, doctors, that will never be able to get the education or attention they deserve."
The model has always stressed that anti-semitism is not acceptable.
