Meet Gigi and Bella Hadid’s activist sister Alana who has become one of the leading voices against Israel
As I delve into this captivating narrative, I find myself deeply moved by Alana Haim’s resilience and unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Born into a family that has faced significant backlash for their pro-Palestinian stance, Alana could have easily chosen the path of least resistance. However, she has chosen the harder road, one that leads towards change and understanding.
Gigi and Bella Hadid are two of the most famous and iconic supermodels of their generation.
Although the duo has achieved remarkable fame on the catwalk, their elder sibling, Alana Hadid, is currently making headlines for an entirely distinct purpose.
Born to Palestinian-American businessman Mohamed Hadid and his first wife, Mary Butler, a 40-year-old woman has become one of the strongest voices advocating for Palestinians in the United States following the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7.
Beyond serving as a prominent figure in fundraising events and voicing her support at Palestine rallies, Alana now holds the position of Creative Director at Watermelon Pictures, a movie distribution company that emphasizes on giving a platform to filmmakers whose stories often go unheard.
The company’s motto is “From the river to the screen,” which is a clever reference to the contentious political phrase, “From the river to the sea.”
Alana’s parents, Mohamed and Mary, got divorced in 1992. Later that year, Mohamed married Dutch model Yolanda Hadid. The couple had three children together – Gigi, Bella, and Anwar. Unfortunately, they also divorced in 2000.
Much like her younger sisters, Alana has dabbled in the fashion industry over the years.
Prior to starting her own eyewear line in 2016 and later, a women’s fashion brand in 2017, she had previously worked in the areas of styling and PR.
However, Alana seems to have finally found her true calling in Palestinian activism.
Born in 1948, the city of Nazareth (currently in Israel), Mohamed, now a successful real estate tycoon, spent his early years.
In infancy, they were forced to leave their home and seek refuge in Lebanon and later Syria, as a result of the establishment of Israel during the 1948 Israeli-Arab conflict.
Around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in the Israeli-Arab war of 1948.
In 2013, numerous individuals who remained in the Jaffa district of Tel Aviv, including women and children, were tragically found buried in mass graves.
Mohamed’s five kids have been vocal advocates for the Palestinian issue, a stance that has occasionally brought turbulence to their household.
In October last year, the Israeli government’s official X (previously known as Twitter) account criticized supermodel Gigi following her criticism of how the Israeli administration was handling Palestinians.
She sparked backlash after sharing a meme to Instagram that said, ‘There is nothing Jewish about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.
It’s important to note that criticizing the Israeli government does not equate to being anti-Semitic, and backing the Palestinian people doesn’t necessarily mean one supports Hamas.
Responding to the meme, the State of Israel posted, ‘Have you been sleeping the past week?
As someone who has witnessed and heard of countless acts of violence against innocent people, I cannot help but be deeply disturbed by the silence that surrounds the brutal killings of Jewish babies in their homes. It is not enough to remain passive and turn a blind eye to such atrocities. Silence in this case implies complicity and a tacit acceptance of these horrific acts.
In the very same month, Mohamed faced criticism after posting an infographic on Instagram likening Israel to the Nazi regime.
The now-removed post claimed that the Nazi Party was established based on the belief in Aryan superiority, whereas Israel was established based on the idea of Jewish supremacy.
The analysis additionally drew a parallel between the unique tactic of the Nazis, specifically gas chambers, and Israel’s distinctive approach, often referred to as carpet bombing.
As reported by TMZ, the backlash encountered by the Hadid family due to their support for Palestine has caused them to feel concerned about their own security.
Reportedly, the family has been subjected to terrible threats through emails, social media platforms, and phone calls, following the disclosure of their contact details on the internet.
At one point, Mohamed was reportedly considering going to the FBI about the issue.
In 2022, Bella claimed that she’d lost friends and modelling jobs over her support for Palestine.
In conversation with Libyan-American journalist Noor Tagouri, the model shared her experience, saying: “Many companies have ceased collaborating with me, and several friends have distanced themselves from me.”
As a dedicated fan, I can attest to the profound impact a friendship can have on one’s life. For seven years, I shared Friday nights with these friends, creating memories that I held dear. Yet, inexplicably, they’ve shut their doors to me – the very same individuals who once invited me into their homes. It’s as if I’ve been erased from their lives, leaving me to ponder the transient nature of human connections and the power they hold over us.
Despite the backlash against her family, Alana has forged ahead with Watermelon Pictures.
So far, the most successful production by the company is the documentary titled “Israelism.” This film chronicles the journey of two Jewish-American documentarians, one of whom was previously a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces. They delve deeper into understanding the Palestinian situation and subsequently reevaluate their personal perspectives on Israel.
The film garnered the top spot on Apple TV’s rankings when it premiered and has been honored with numerous accolades. However, it has faced criticism from Zionists and several pro-Israel organizations such as StandWithUs, who claim that it propagates anti-Semitic notions.
In the style of Watermelon Pictures, the movie titled “Walled Off” employs a hotel crafted by renowned British graffiti artist Banksy as a canvas to delve into the historical narrative of Palestine and the alleged media prejudice towards Palestinian perspectives.
‘We are changing the ways in which we are viewed,’ Alana told The Cut in an interview last month.
For a considerable time, the entertainment industry has been portraying Palestinians and Arabs in a dehumanized manner. I have personal connections within the acting community who find themselves consistently typecast as ‘terrorists’ or ‘taxi drivers,’ roles that fail to depict them simply as humans, individuals with complex lives beyond stereotypes.
‘I want to see a Palestinian romantic comedy. We want to see Palestinians in the mainstream.’
When considering the criticism she’s faced from some pro-Israel groups, Alana remarked, “I’m seldom taken aback by the harshness – by the animosity.”
She continued, ‘You’re not silencing me by trying to discredit me or telling me I’m ugly or something. If I’m the ugliest one in the hottest family in the world, I’ll take that.’
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2024-08-04 16:04