Images

'Showing solidarity isn't antisemitism': Public figures, netizens defend Emma Watson's pro-Palestine stance

'Showing solidarity isn't antisemitism': Public figures, netizens defend Emma Watson's pro-Palestine stance

Actor's Instagram post sparked arguments on what the term 'antisemitism' actually means.
06 Jan, 2022

British actor Emma Watson has come under scrutiny for a pro-Palestinian post she shared on Instagram on January 2, a move which drew accusations of "antisemitism" from Israeli politicians and supporters. However, many defended Watson, questioning why the term antisemitism has been weaponised to "to shut down basic expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people".

The 31-year-old — who rose to fame for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies — reposted a post originally shared by the Bad Activist Collective on Instagram. The post includes a picture showing pro-Palestinian supporters with the quote "solidarity is a verb" overlaid on it. The caption included a poem by British-Australian scholar Sara Ahmed about what solidarity truly entails.

Former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon strongly criticised her post, calling Watson an "antisemite". The current ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, also voiced his disagreement with Watson's stance.

Criticism by Israeli politicians received pushback from several public figures on social media. "A perfect demonstration of the utterly cynical and bad-faith weaponisation of antisemitism to shut down basic expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people," tweeted Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, a US-based political campaign organisation.

"Repeat after me Mr…. Showing solidarity with Palestinians is not antisemitism. Appalling comments from former Israeli Ambassador to the UN. These constant attempts to stifle any and all support for Palestinians must be called out. Solidarity with Emma Watson," said Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a member of the British House of Lords.

"All Emma Watson did was post this very simple statement and now Zionists everywhere are in a frenzy. Absolutely hilarious," said Mohammed El-Kurd, a prominent Palestinian activist from Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem.

Journalist Mehdi Hasan called Danon's comments "beyond parody".

"The attacks on Emma Watson's tame solidarity message reveal that there are those for whom it would always be wrong to support Palestinians or criticise Israel," tweeted one user. "This effectively means that whatever Israel does — it should be beyond criticism."

"Equating support for Palestinians to antisemitism presumes that repression of the Palestinian people is an inherently Jewish quality, which is the real antisemitic sentiment here," tweeted another user.

On a lighter note, author and lawyer Khaled Beydoun praised Watson and tweeted how she "has done more for Palestinians than DJ Khaled". Beydoun's tweet is a subtle dig at the American-Palestinian DJ who was criticised in 2021 for not condemning the attacks on Palestine strongly enough.

A long-held argument of the anti-Palestinian movement is that calling for a free Palestine is akin to antisemitism. Model Bella Hadid was on the receiving end of a lot of backlash and claims of antisemitism after she was vocal about her support for the Palestinian cause. Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo withdrew his support for Palestine and apologised after criticism.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 06, 2022 05:19pm
She is 100 percent right.
Recommend (0)
D’Souza Jan 06, 2022 06:20pm
Emma Watson is spoiling the name of the house Gryffindor.
Recommend (0)
Truth be told Jan 06, 2022 06:38pm
There's a difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Jews traditionally use it to confuse people and get their way with it i.e. Anti-Zionism is portrayed as Anti-Semitism to ward off people's taking up issue with it. Many Palestinian as well as Israeli Jews support anti-Zionism and are very vocal about it.
Recommend (0)
Ali da Malanga Jan 06, 2022 07:08pm
One of the last defenses Israel has is to call any criticism against its brutalities antisemitism.
Recommend (0)
Ahmed Jan 06, 2022 07:57pm
Where is Malala? Why isn't she supporting this?
Recommend (0)
Daud Jan 06, 2022 08:30pm
Seems like people getting to know the real face of society. They call it freedom of speech .... BS No need to apologise Miss and Mr ..
Recommend (0)
Zak Jan 06, 2022 09:56pm
What happened to ' Freedom of speech', west allways bats around? Emma Watson expressed her sentiments on plight of oppressed and occupied palistinians freely and justly.
Recommend (0)
AP Jan 06, 2022 10:21pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad , just one word of condemnation for Chinese atrocities please
Recommend (0)
Hawk Jan 06, 2022 10:58pm
She has a beautiful heart.
Recommend (0)
Saira Khan Jan 07, 2022 12:28am
@D’Souza do you indians support Israelis because you are both persecuting minorities in Kashmir and Gaza, respectively?
Recommend (0)
Ifti Malik Jan 07, 2022 05:23am
@Ahmed because she's sensible and busy (recently married )
Recommend (0)
SS Jan 07, 2022 06:43am
@Ahmed Malala is not present because she needs her financial security.
Recommend (0)
AZAM AKBAR Jan 07, 2022 09:01am
She said the truth.
Recommend (0)
2zi.ru Jan 07, 2022 12:09pm
PAL ES is the official supplier of products on the territory of the Russian Federation Easy installation and configuration from a mobile application ABOUT OUR CONTROL AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS Intelligent innovative systems based on wireless technologies Ease of installation (small size, does not require deep knowledge and practical skills for installation and adjustment) Ease of use (all control via smartphone) https://2zi.ru/
Recommend (0)