World-renowned supermodel Bella Hadid is the child of Dutch actress and former model, Yolanda Hadid and Palestinian real-estate developer Mohammed Hadid who had to flee Palestine at a young age due to the Nakba of 1948, a mass ethnic cleansing that displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Bella Hadid’s father instilled great pride in her Palestinian heritage. She often references her heritage and celebrated her roots on her 26th birthday with a traditional Knafa cake made by a Palestinian-owned bakery called Knafa Cups alongside another cake displaying the Palestinian flag. She has also displayed her interest in her culture by attending an art exhibit in Qatar entitled “Labor of Love” which displays Palestinian embroidery.
Hadid’s connection to her heritage and empathy for those with less has led to her strong passion to help those being oppressed within Palestine. She has actively supported the “free Palestine” campaign by spreading awareness, fundraising, and participating in live protests. She uses her highly influential Instagram page to bring awareness to fundraisers that directly benefit Palestinian victims and has been seen at a pro-Palestine protest in New York City.
Hadid has taken many risks by being so vocal about her stance on the controversial Israel-Palestine conflict. That being said, it is important to acknowledge that she is in a position of privilege due to her wealth and status that allow her to take such risks.
Hadid has expressed that she has lost connections, jobs, and friends due to her unwavering support for Palestine, but those losses do not affect her activism. She and her family have been accused of being anti-semitic in large news outlets including a full page ad that appeared in the New York Times, which condemned Hadid, her sister Gigi Hadid, and musical artist Dua Lipa for their support of Palestine, as well as a multitude of Israeli news outlets with similar accusations. These articles are pervaded with misinformation. Bella Hadid has, on multiple occasions, expressed her disdain for anti-semitism, most famously her public denouncing of Kanye West’s highly anti-semitic remarks.
Support for Palestine is not equivalent to anti-semitism and to state otherwise would be a severely misinformed notion. Support for Palestine is not deeming one religion as better than another despite what some news headlines would have you believe.
Bella Hadid is a role model for so many people, especially young middle eastern girls around the world. The proud display of her heritage and headstrong support for her country is inspiring for many people who are made to feel ashamed of their cultures by oppressive institutions. The model has amplified several voices smaller than hers that deserve to be heard, establishing herself as a public figure who is passionate about using their fame for good.
Words by: Mishi Ali
Graphic by: Lena Sedlmayer