Singer-actor Selena Gomez has faced criticism from the Jewish organization American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), with member Mitchell Bard labeling her as 'a coward' for not commenting on atrocities committed by Hamas. Bard accuses Gomez of succumbing to peer pressure and boycotting Israel under the influence of left-wingers or fellow celebrities.
According to Bard, Gomez's silence on the Hamas-perpetrated massacre of 1,400 Israelis and the abduction of 240 hostages, including the elderly, disabled, and children as young as 9 months, is a result of prioritizing her business interests. The organization expressed disappointment in Gomez for allegedly siding with a pro-Palestinian stance to appease critics and boycott threats against her business, Rare Beauty.
In contrast, Alia Malak who is a founding member of the Palestinian organisation, Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) told TMZ: "Selena Gomez is one of many thousands of artistes and cultural figures worldwide calling for ceasefire, justice and accountability, joining Hollywood figures, leading Black scholars and artists, Jewish writers and artists, prominent authors, visual artists, and many others."
Malak added: "When UN experts and others are warning of an Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, these artistes are on the right side of history. Palestinians call on artistes and arts organisations to speak out loudly for a ceasefire, and for an end to oppression, as many had done against apartheid South Africa, to contribute to freedom, justice, and equality."
The Selena Gomez brand is currently facing substantial criticism for allegedly presenting a one-sided narrative, leading to her being labeled as an anti-Semite, Jew-hater, opportunist, and various other derogatory terms. The backlash stems from accusations that Gomez has only provided details from one perspective of the broader narrative, contributing to a polarized view of the Israel-Palestine situation. This controversy has fueled a wave of condemnation and negative labels against the singer-actor.
(With Agency Inputs)
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