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When commenting on such a complex political issue as the Israel-Hamas conflict, celebrities are bound to ruffle a few feathers.
While famous faces supporting either Israel or Palestinians may expect to divide opinions, even stars choosing to remain impartial are being subject to fierce backlash online.
The latest celebrity to spark outrage with her thoughts on the Israel-Hamas war is Angelina Jolie.
On October 7, Hamas launched a deadly militant attack on Israel by land, sea and air. Israel has subsequently struck back at Hamas in Gaza. As of November 1, at least 1,400 people have been killed in Israel in the conflict, while over 8,500 people had been killed in Gaza, both figures according to the Associated Press.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has said his country is "at war" and has suspended supplies of food, electricity, fuel and medicine into Gaza. The territory has a population of 2.3 million, with the Israeli military telling the 1.1 million people in northern region to relocate to south to keep out of harm's way as it enters the territory.
The actress shared a lengthy statement to Instagram on October 30, in which she expressed support for civilians on both sides of the conflict.
"Like millions around the world I have spent the last weeks sick and angry at the terrorist attack in Israel, the death of so many innocent civilians, and wondering how best to help," the statement reads.
"I am too praying for the immediate, safe return of every hostage, and for the families who carry the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one."
The 48-year-old called Hamas' attack on Israel "an act of terror," but said she cannot condone "the innocent lives lost in bombing a civilian population in Gaza that has nowhere to go."
"No access to food and water, possibility of evacuation, and not even the basic human right to cross a border to seek refuge," she continued.
Citing her work with refugees, Jolie—who was a UN refugee agency ambassador from 2001 to 2022—called for more humanitarian aid for people in the Gaza Strip.
"The few aid trucks that are entering are a fraction of what is needed, and the bombings are causing desperate new humanitarian needs daily," she said.
"The denial of aid, fuel and water is collectively punishing a people."
Concluding her post, the Academy Award winner called for a ceasefire, writing: "Palestinian and Israeli lives—and the lives of all people globally—matter equally."
"Anything that can prevent civilian casualties and save lives most be done," she said.
Newsweek has reached out to Jolie via email for comment.
Although some followers praised the Maleficent star for her statement, which had received more than 777,000 likes at time of publishing, others slammed Jolie for refusing to choose sides.
"How did you manage to say so much without saying anything at all?" said Marcelina Maria.
"Are you trying to be neutral?" asked Juliani. "As someone who claimed to work closely with refugees etc, you should know the history better."
"If you're neutral in situations of injustice, you've chosen the side of the oppressor," said lifeashira.
"Call it what it is a genocide!!" said Afuhana Suria. "Disappointed but then again expected nothing less from the likes of you!!"
"Interesting that even after 3 weeks, you are still choosing to acknowledge Israel before Palestine," wrote KK.
"You've lost my respect," said A.T, while allyroza commented: "You can now stop calling yourself a humanitarian. Shame on you."
However, la_caminata_ wrote: "Finally a statement about Palestine, maybe not perfect for many, but good enough to recognize that the inhumanity of attacking civilians has no justification and to ask for immediate ceasefire."
While _finaa988 posted: "We love you very much and will always support you."
Jolie isn't the only celebrity whose attempts to support both Israeli and Palestinian civilians has caused controversy.
After Selena Gomez claimed she'd been avoiding speaking out about the Israel-Hamas war because a post won't "change the world," she was accused by fans of abusing her platform, while Mark Ruffalo was mocked by fans for sharing a petition to "end child bloodshed" in Gaza and Israel.
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About the writer
Sophie is a Newsweek Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in Lincoln, UK. Her focus is reporting on film and ... Read more