NEW YORK: Pop singer Dua Lipa took to Twitter on Sunday to angrily denounce a full-page advertisement in the New York Times that accused her of being anti-Semitic for her support of Palestinians.
The ad from the World Values Network in the main section of Saturday’s newspaper refers to Lipa and supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid as “mega-influencers” who have “vilified the Jewish state” and “accused Israel of ethnic cleansing.”
this full page ad published in the NYT today??? pic.twitter.com/NGtygtEinD
— Maffy (@matthewduchesne) May 22, 2021
The advertisement mirrors what the World Values Network said on its website, accusing Lipa and the Hadids of forming an “unholy trinity of anti-Semitic bile to demonise the Jewish people, whom they insist have no right to defend themselves.”
Included is a photo of all three women modeling red-carpet looks, with the headline: Meet the new Hamas influencer brigades.
Lipa fired back on Twitter: “The World Values Network are shamelessly using my name to advance their ugly campaign with falsehoods […] I stand in solidarity with all oppressed people and reject all forms of racism.”
— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) May 22, 2021
The Hadid sisters have been outspoken in their support of Palestine, their father’s homeland, and in their criticism of Israel during the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Lipa, a native of London with Muslim heritage, has been far more muted, sharing on Twitter support for the preservation of the Sheikh Jarrah Palestinian neighbourhood in Jerusalem.
Other celebrities have taken to Twitter to show support for Palestine, including singers Roger Waters, Zayn, The Weeknd, and Avengers star Mark Ruffalo.
On Friday, an Egyptian brokered cease-fire between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel took effect, putting an end to 11 days of fighting.
At least 279 Palestinians have been killed, including 69 children and 40 women, and 1,910 others injured in Israeli air attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
12 Israelis have also been killed.
