What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Amidst the raging Israel-Palestine war, the half-Palestinian supermodel, Bella Hadid, has at last broken her silence. While her sister Gigi Hadid had already made her stance on the issue known, Bella’s prolonged silence had stirred controversy, leaving many expecting her to share her perspective on the ongoing crisis that has gripped global attention.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bella began with an apology, acknowledging the difficulty of finding the right words to express the deep complexity and tragedy of the past two weeks. She stated, “Forgive me for my silence. I have yet to find the ideal words for this deeply intricate and horrific past two weeks, weeks that have turned the world’s attention back towards a situation that has been taking innocent lives and affecting families for decades. I have much to say, but for today, I will keep it short.”
Bella stated that the conflict has personally affected her as well, revealing that she had been subjected to daily death threats, her phone number had been leaked, and her family had felt threatened. Despite these challenges, she declared, “Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are.”
The model expressed deep sorrow for the trauma unfolding in the region, particularly the devastating impact of the airstrikes in Gaza. She mourned the lives lost and the families forever changed by this ongoing crisis.
Bella also extended her empathy to Israeli civilians, acknowledging the pain they have experienced as well. She condemned terrorist attacks on any civilians, emphasising the need for peace and security for all, regardless of their background.
Furthermore, Bella emphasised the importance of a better understanding of the Palestinian experience, highlighting the harm in labeling all Palestinians as terrorists resisting peace, stating, “It is harmful, it is shameful, and it’s categorically untrue.”
The model also provided insight into her family history, recounting her father’s birth in Nazareth during the Nakba in 1948 when Palestinians were displaced from their homes, becoming refugees. She remembered the lasting impact of brutal settler invasions, the destruction of communities, and the forcible removal of families.
“My father was born in Nazareth in the year of the Nakba (the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948). Nine days after he was born, he, in his mother’s arms, along with his family were expelled from their home of Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home. My grandparents, never being allowed to return.
“My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people-most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood, and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable.”
Bella placed the responsibility for the ongoing crisis on governments rather than the religious beliefs of the people.“We must all stand together in defending humanity and compassion – and demanding that our leaders do the same. All religions are peaceful – it is governments that are corrupt, and intertwining the two makes for the greatest sin of all. We are one, and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears, and bodies should be mourned with the same respect,” she wrote.
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The conflict between Israel and Palestinian forces, which escalated following the militant group Hamas’ October 7 assault, has resulted in a growing death toll and allegations of war crimes on both sides. The situation remains a cause for concern on the international stage, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
