Mohamed and Bella Hadid Stand in Solidarity with Palestine Following Trump's Recognition of Jerusalem
Photo Credit: Mohamed Hadid on Instagram
Arab American model Bella Hadid (sister of model Gigi Hadid) and her father Mohamed Hadid were clearly incensed by President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and eventually the move of the U.S. Embassy.
Mohamed Hadid stated in an Instagram post that Wednesday was “the Saddest day of my life as an American Palastinian.. and to all the Palestinians that have endured the Israeli occupation of our fathers and great grandfathers Land.”
“Now Mr. Trump with a simple signature gave with no return (to) our beloved holy land Jerusalem to the Israelis as their capital … this is not a real estate deal .. what’s worse than all the Arab leaders sold us out. No shame no heart no soul. Disgusting of their behavior. Palestine land (is) for the Palestinians.”
Hadid’s family descended from the Nazareth district of Palestine. His family was noted for supporting inter-faith cooperation between Muslims, Christians, and Jews. After sheltering a Jewish family, they were then kicked out of their home by the same family they offered protection to, thus becoming refugees. Hadid and his family immigrated to Syria during the 1948 War, a catastrophe that left 800,000 Palestinians without a home or nation-state.
Hadid was caught on video expressing his frustration with Trump’s decision on TMZ.com.
This evening Hadid’s daughter, supermodel Bella Hadid marched with protesters near to the US Embassy in London.
Photo: BIZI Backgrid
Hadid posted on her Instagram account yesterday, “Watching the news and seeing the pain of the Palestinian people makes me cry for the many many generations of Palestine.
“Seeing the sadness of my father, cousins, and Palestinian family that are feeling for our Palestinian ancestors makes this even harder to write. Jerusalem is home of all religions. For this to happen, I feel, makes us take five steps back making it harder to live in a world of peace.
“The “treatment” of the Palestinian people is unfair, one-sided and should not be tolerated. I stand with Palestine.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcaCVA-n3Yl/?taken-by=bellahadid
Bella has been active in expressing her views regarding Donald Trump’s Muslim ban. In a recent interview with Elle magazine, Hadid said protesting the travel ban was imperative for her as a mixed race individual. “My dad was a refugee when he first came to America, so it’s actually very close to home for my sister, brother, and me,” she said referring to the Muslim ban directed at several countries, including Syria. “We shouldn’t treat people as if they don’t deserve kindness just because of their ethnicity. It’s just not right.”
Bella’s sister Gigi Hadid, has also spoken out about prejudices against Muslims, commenting on a tweet made by a right-wing conservative who criticized women she saw wearing hijabs after the New York City attack.
Mohamed, Gigi, and Bella have broadened the representation of Arab Americans in the media shattering the xenophobic attitudes that are directed at their culture and religion, expressing love, respect, and pride in their cultural roots.
Compiled by Arab America