We see you: Israeli government strikes back at Gigi Hadid, condemning her pro-Palestine stance

Israel’s government has denounced Gigi Hadid’s support for Palestine in the wake of Hamas’ military operation in Southern Israel. “Have you been sleeping the past week? Or are you just fine turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes? Your silence has been very clear about where you stand. We see you,” a series of Stories on the Israeli government’s official Instagram handle read. 

Attaching a picture of a child’s room with stuffed toys, Mary Janes, and an open colouring book apparently splattered in blood, the post called out Hadid, “If you don’t condemn this, your words mean nothing.”

The celebrity became the subject of controversy for posting an image that clarified that criticism of the Israeli state was not tantamount to antisemitism. “There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. Condemning the Israeli government is not antisemitic and supporting Palestinians is not supporting Hamas,” the post read.

In response, the Israeli government’s Instagram account also rebuked Hadid by putting a mocking spin on the original post. “There is nothing valiant about Hamas’ massacre of Israelis. Condemning Hamas for what it is (ISIS) is not anti-Palestine and supporting Israelis in their fight against barbaric terrorists is the right thing to do,” the government wrote.

The interaction received mixed reactions from the internet, with many taking to task the Israeli government’s efforts to shift the public narrative and squash dissenting voices. While it is uncommon to see verified government accounts target citizens for their political opinions, the heightened Israel-Palestine tensions have revealed online spaces as central to staging narratives and aligning mass support.

The image of the child’s bedroom, which was initially shared on X by the Israeli government’s official account, has also prompted scepticism, with many questioning the ‘unnatural’ blood splatter and its pink residue on the colouring book. “Deoxygenated blood has a shade of dark red, so it is a staging; the blood is not pink,” said the community notes under the original post on X, now apparently removed.

Supporters of the Palestinian cause have commended Hadid for finally taking a bolder position. In a previous post on October 10, the model penned, “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, who is half-Palestinian from her father, Mohamed Hadid’s side, also said, “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."

She added, “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.”