Stars' Support Enables Israeli Human Rights Violations

Fame entitles celebrities to privileges and status that mere mortals are never afforded.

Being a celebrity comes with responsibility. Today, they’re referred to as influencers—men and women who sway public opinion because of who they are.

In an era where every tweet, Instagram post, and public statement from celebrities is scrutinised and can influence millions, the stance they take on global issues carries significant weight.

It’s a responsibility that becomes crucial when morally compromised wars like Israel-Palestine or Ukraine-Russia have been facilitated and blessed through US foreign policy.

America is often perceived as the aggressor, destabilising regions to expand its global economic hegemony.

What’s more disturbing is the recent trend where high-profile celebrities endorse the narrative that Israel has an unequivocal right to defend itself.

High-profiled Hollywood actress and Fatal Attraction star, Sharon Stone is a case in point. Her proclamation of how much she “loves Israel” should have everyone questioning her sincerity and how much was she paid by AIPAC and the Jewish lobby in many of her funded trips to Israel (you’d have to assume they were AIPAC funded) were part of AIPAC’s public relations campaign.

Respecting and loving a society that embraces terror and genocide stretches well beyond the acceptability of morality and humanity.

The narrative that Israel has a right to defend itself is run by the Jewish lobby to entrap people into agreeing with a premise that counters any argument to criticise Israel for its murderous and genocidal war crimes and terror.

Piers Morgan, on his show “Uncensored,” asks all his pro-Palestinian guests if they condemn Hamas for its October 7 military operation. It’s a foolish question asked without any understanding of history and the issues at play.

Eight months after October 7, the question remains illogical and stupid, yet many feel compelled to answer because of pressure or not wanting to be seen as supporting perceived terrorism.

Hamas shouldn’t be condemned but acknowledged for its attempt to free Palestinians from subjugation.

Global commentators and world media have been given a scripted narrative to influence public opinion that Hamas’s military operation was a terrorist attack rather than a government attempting to free its people from the terror of an oppressive regime.

This position reflects a lack of understanding and a troubling disregard for humanity and morality.

For decades, the Palestinian people have endured a multifaceted regime of oppression that has illegally occupied their territories, used disproportionate military responses, and enforced systematic dehumanisation, stripping Palestinians of their fundamental rights and dignity.

They aren’t allegations but well-documented realities corroborated by numerous international human rights organisations.

When celebrities like Sharon Stone support Israel's actions without acknowledging its inhumanity, they become endorsers of a narrative that perpetuates the suffering of Palestinians and hinders peace.

In the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, where misinformation and biased narratives are rampant, uncritically supporting Israel's right to defend itself without recognising the disproportionate force often used against Palestinians and the broader context of occupation and systemic abuse contributes to a skewed perception of the conflict.

This not only misinforms the public but also diminishes the urgency and legitimacy of Palestinian suffering.

Everyone must question the humanity and morality of those who stand with a narrative that overlooks terror and war crimes like those committed by Israel. It’s morally crucial to look beyond the superficial and engage deeply with the realities on the ground.

The images and stories from Gaza, Rafah, the West Bank, and Nuseirat, often circulated on social media, paint a harrowing picture of life under siege. Children living in constant fear, slaughtered, and maimed forever - psychologically and physically; families torn apart by violence; and entire communities struggling for basic human rights aren’t anomalies but daily realities for Palestinians.

Supporting a state's right to defend itself should never come at the expense of condoning human rights abuses.

Celebrities with their platforms and influence, have a unique responsibility to champion humanity. Their voices raise awareness, shift public opinion, and even influence policy. However, this influence comes with the responsibility to be informed and to act ethically.

It also means they must understand the historical and current complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and considering the broader implications of their endorsements.

From a public relations perspective, aligning themselves with a narrative that excuses or minimises the suffering of Palestinians risks complicity in perpetuating that suffering. It’s not just a moral failing but a betrayal of the human rights many claim to uphold.

In an age of information, ignorance is no longer an excuse. The realities of the Israel-Palestine war are accessible and documented by credible sources.

When celebrities like Sharon Stone or Piers Morgan choose to ignore these realities, it speaks volumes about their morality. They must ask themselves: Is their support based on genuine understanding, or is it a result of succumbing to a simplified, biased narrative? Are they willing to confront uncomfortable truths, or do they prefer the convenience of a one-sided perspective?

Celebrities who endorse Israel’s war crimes and terror without recognising its inhumanity isn’t just a misstep; it is a moral failing.