Hollywood Sees Volatile Combination with Gaza Conflict and Instagram

Hollywood celebrities are experiencing repercussions for publicly choosing sides in the Israel-Gaza conflict. They’ve been vocal on social media, with posts supporting either “Free Palestine” or “I stand with Israel.”

Israeli actress Gal Gadot, known for her role in “Wonder Woman,” has been a staunch supporter of Israel since the conflict with Hamas began on October 7. She has actively used her Instagram platform, which has 109 million followers, to express solidarity with Israel and demand the release of civilians held by Hamas. Her posts have attracted both praise and criticism, with some urging her to also acknowledge Palestinian casualties.

American model Gigi Hadid, of Palestinian heritage, has shifted focus from fashion to address what she describes as Israel’s systemic mistreatment of Palestinians. Her stance has sparked accusations of antisemitism among her 79 million Instagram followers.

Celebrity involvement in political issues often divides public opinion. Historical figures like Muhammad Ali and Jane Fonda faced similar polarized reactions for their anti-Vietnam War stances. More recently, celebrities like Ben Stiller, Angelina Jolie, and Sean Penn received mostly positive responses for their support of Ukraine.

The Israel-Palestinian conflict, however, tends to elicit particularly strong reactions. Kylie Jenner faced backlash for a pro-Israel post, which she quickly removed. Susan Sarandon was dropped by her talent agency over pro-Palestinian rally comments, for which she later apologized.

Melissa Barrera, known for her role in “Scream,” faced repercussions for condemning what she called “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza. Her comments led to her removal from a future project, citing zero tolerance for antisemitism and incitement to hatred.

Nicolas Vanderbiest, a public relations expert, notes that celebrities face significant risks when commenting on such divisive topics, with producers and sponsors preferring to keep geopolitics separate from business.

Tom Cruise intervened to save his agent’s job following her Instagram post referencing “genocide.” The situation puts celebrities in a difficult position, as silence is often perceived as taking a stance. This has led some, like Selena Gomez, to seek a middle ground, such as signing petitions for ceasefires and the release of hostages.

The conflict has seen many celebrities, including Gadot, sign a letter thanking President Joe Biden for his support of “the Jewish people.” However, very few have signed petitions on both sides of the conflict.