Gigi Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, has spoken up about Israel–Hamas war, saying, “The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with and does not do any good for the ‘Free Palestine’ movement.”
Hadid, whose father Mohamed Hadid is a Palestinian immigrant and practicing Muslim, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the conflict, which began with a brutal and violent Hamas attack on the Israeli people over the weekend.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict – too many of which are children,” Hadid wrote. “I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it’s a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person. The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with and does not do any good for the ‘Free Palestine’ movement.”
She added, “There are a lot of complex, personal and valid feelings, but every human deserves basic rights, treatment and security; no matter their nationality, religion, ethnicity or where they were born. I know my words will never be enough or heal the deep wounds of so many, but I pray for the safety of innocent lives, always.”
Hadid and her younger sister and fellow model Bella Hadid have a history of supporting the Palestinian cause. Bella has yet to comment on the current conflict.
Multiple celebrities and politicians have spoken out against Hamas’ actions, which have resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides in recent days. Former president Barack Obama condemned Hamas’ “brazen terrorist attacks” in a statement on X on Monday.
“All Americans should be horrified and outraged by the brazen terrorist attacks on Israel and the slaughter of innocent civilians,” Obama wrote. “We grieve for those who died, pray for the safe return of those who’ve been held hostage, and stand squarely alongside our ally, Israel, as it dismantles Hamas.”
Hamas militants launched a surprise assault over the weekend in areas throughout Israel, with militants firing thousands of rockets into the country as well as engaging in a ground attack. The Israeli Defense Forces launched Operation “Swords of Iron” in response to the attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the country was “at war.”
Last night, President Joe Biden affirmed his support for Israel in a televised speech. “In this moment, we must be crystal clear: we stand with Israel,” Biden said, standing alongside vice president Kamala Harris and secretary of state Antony Blinken. “We stand with Israel.”