Supermodel Bella Hadid took a stand for Palestine on her Instagram account Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Trump announced that the United States would be moving their embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a result, despite backlash from global leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau and Pope Francis.
Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, expressed how this was “a very, very sad day” for her. Her Palestinian father, who was born in Nazareth during the Arab-Israeli war and came to the U.S. at age 14, posted a similar message to his Instagram calling Trump’s declaration the “saddest day” of his life.
The 21-year old has been outspoken about her identity before, even declaring in an interview with Porter magazine that she was “a proud Muslim.” Born to a Dutch mother in Los Angeles, Hadid has never forgotten her paternal heritage and has been vocal about other issues affecting Muslims and immigrants, even protesting in New York for the No Ban No Wall to protest Trump’s first Muslim ban in January.
Talking to Elle in February she explained that speaking out was important to her. “Well, I come from a really diverse background, ” she said. “I’ve had incredible experiences all over the world… and I’ve learned that we’re all just people, and we all deserve respect and kindness. We shouldn’t treat people as if they don’t deserve kindness just because of their ethnicities. It’s just not right. And that message—to be compassionate whenever possible—that’s so important to me.”
After landing the cover of Vogue Arabia, following the footsteps of her older sister Gigi, Hadid dedicated her cover to her Palestinian family and Arab and Muslim friends, expressing how it was an honor to represent Palestinians.
Expressing solidarity for Palestine, Hadid explained how Trump’s decision would only increase tensions in an already sensitive situation. “For this to happen, I feel, makes us take five steps back making it harder to live in a world of peace. The treatment of the Palestinian people is unfair, one-sided and should not be tolerated. I stand with Palestine,” she declared.