In a display of solidarity, American supermodel siblings Bella and Gigi Hadid have pledged a donation of $1 million to support relief efforts for Palestinians, as reported by the BBC. The funds will be allocated to four humanitarian organizations focused on aiding children and families affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Bella and Gigi Hadid, whose father is Palestinian property mogul Mohamed Anwar Hadid, have been vocal advocates for the Palestinian cause. Their donation aims to address the urgent humanitarian needs exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza. Bella, in a poignant Instagram post in May, expressed her distress over the “heartbreaking loss suffered by the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy from government entities worldwide.”
Their commitment to the Palestinian people was further demonstrated when Bella appeared at the Cannes Film Festival wearing a dress made from keffiyeh, a traditional Arabic cloth associated with Palestinian heritage. She described it as “a beautiful means of representing the history, labor of love, resilience, and, most importantly, the art of historic Palestinian embroidery.”
Since Israel initiated attacks in Palestine in October, Gigi has also expressed her sadness, emphasizing her deep empathy for the Palestinian struggle under occupation. She expressed hope for a brighter future for Palestinians and emphasized the importance of mutual respect and understanding.
US President Joe Biden recently called on Hamas to consider an Israeli proposal that could potentially halt the latter’s military actions. However, this call for peace comes amid significant casualties in Gaza. According to the local health authority, the latest wave of violence by Israeli forces since October has resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 people in Gaza.
