An escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has claimed dozens of lives in a matter of days, has sparked international concern and concern over the possibility of all-out war.
Israeli airstrikes on the beleaguered Gaza Strip and rocket fire from the ruling Hamas group in the enclave this week mark the biggest flare-up since Israel’s seven-week war on Gaza in 2014.
Israeli shelling has killed at least 83 Palestinians in Gaza, including 17 children, since Monday, according to the coastal enclave’s health ministry.
Seven people were also killed in Israel, which on Thursday accused Hamas of launching more than 1,600 rockets.
The conflict grabbed international headlines and led to global calls for de-escalation.
He has also caught the eye of prominent public figures and celebrities, including Palestinian-Dutch models Bella and Gigi Hadid, singer Rihanna, Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
Their comments drew mixed reactions online, with many criticizing Gadot for encouraging Israeli “propaganda”, and some blaming Rihanna for taking a seemingly neutral stance.
Here are some of those posts:
Bella Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, posted a message of support for the Palestinians on her Instagram account, which at the time of publication had been liked by more than a million users.
“Future generations will look back in disbelief and wonder how we allowed Palestinian suffering to continue for so long. A human tragedy unfolding before our eyes,” the 24-year-old’s post said.
“Politicians stutter neutral words for fear of reprimand, while the world remains silent to avoid offending the wrong people. History has taught us to speak up. You are on the right side or you are not. no. It’s so simple.”
One Twitter user commented, while sharing a screenshot of Hadid’s post: “Everyone should talk about what’s going on in Palestine.
Another said: “Miss Bella Hadid – one of the highest paid models can post and raise awareness about Palestine but your favorite Muslim influencers can’t because of a deal with the L brand. ‘Oreal lol.”
Bella’s sister Gigi also posted on Instagram in support of Palestine.
Miss Bella Hadid – one of the highest paid models can post and raise awareness about Palestine but your favorite Muslim influencers can’t because of a deal with L’Oreal brand lol
– meredith gray stan (@plsitsnotme) May 12, 2021
Malala Yousafzai tweeted a video expressing her “solidarity with the Palestinian people”.
“A Palestinian child should be sitting in a classroom, not in the rubble,” Yousafzai, 23, wrote in a message accompanying his video.
“World leaders must act immediately to protect the human rights of Palestinians.”
A Palestinian child should be sitting in a classroom, not in rubble.
World leaders must act immediately to protect the human rights of Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/6BLQq58D4H
— Malala (@malala) May 12, 2021
British actor, Riz Ahmed, was among those who shared another of Yousafzai’s tweets, which included a UNICEF report on the effects on Palestinian children.
The violence in Jerusalem – especially against children – is unbearable. This long conflict has cost the lives and the future of many children. Leaders must act now – there is no peace when children and civilians are unsafe. #AlAqsa https://t.co/bLv3XyA1OV
— Malala (@malala) May 10, 2021
British musician, Zayn Malik, also shared a UNICEF report with his 31 million followers, telling them about the Palestinian children who have been killed in the conflict.
— zayn (@zaynmalik) May 12, 2021
American actress and activist Susan Sarandon has repeatedly tweeted in support of Palestine.
In a message, she said, “In solidarity with the Palestinian people who face ethnic cleansing and terrorization by the Israeli government and Jewish settler organizations. THE WORLD IS WATCHING.
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) May 12, 2021
— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) May 12, 2021
Gal Gadot, who previously served in the Israeli army, said Israel was “at war”, adding that it “deserved to live as a free and secure nation”.
“Our neighbors deserve the same,” the 36-year-old actor said in a post on Twitter.
“I pray for the victims and their families. I pray that this unimaginable hostility ceases, I pray that our leaders find the solution so that we can live side by side in peace.
His remarks drew a barrage of criticism.
“She can’t even say the word Palestinian,” one Twitter user commented in reference to Gadot’s post.
Gigi and Bella Hadid really stole the show trying to raise awareness about the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians without caring about their careers. Then there’s Gal Gadot, a disgrace to everything Wonder Woman is supposed to stand for.
— Asad Shahbaz 🇵🇸 (@Asadthesad) May 12, 2021
Rihanna, who has spoken out on other issues such as police brutality in the United States and Nigeria, and farmers’ protests in India, condemned the “violence”.
“My heart breaks with the violence I see between Israel and Palestine!” the 33-year-old posted on Instagram.
“I can’t bear to see him! Innocent Israeli and Palestinian children are hiding in bomb shelters, more than 40 lives have been lost in Gaza alone, at least 13 of which were also innocent children!
She added: “There must be some kind of resolution! We sadly see innocent people being victimized by ideas perpetuated by the government and extremists, and this cycle must be broken!”
But the musician’s comments were criticized by some on social media.
“Hi @rihanna. Palestinians have no bomb shelters – we have no protection. There is no shelter. Palestinians in Gaza have nowhere to hide and nowhere where to go. Palestinians have no army, no nukes, we are not funded by billions of US dollars. Happy to chat,” one tweeted.
Hey @Rihanna The Palestinians have no bomb shelters – we have no protection. There is no shelter. Palestinians in Gaza have nowhere to hide and nowhere to go. The Palestinians have no army, no nuclear weapons, we are not funded by billions of US dollars. Happy to discuss https://t.co/Iq3onP7wcc
— Jennine #SaveSheikhJarrah (@jennineak) May 13, 2021
Another Twitter user said, “Rihanna said I support humanity while choosing to remain neutral about it. How many times do we have to say Palestine is the oppressed and not the oppressor?