Celebrities Are Losing Followers Over Their Israel Remarks

As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, celebrities are losing followers over statements they've made about the conflict.

On October 7, Hamas led a surprise militant attack on Israel. Israel subsequently launched a war on the Islamist group in the Gaza Strip, with extensive air and ground assaults. As of Wednesday, at least 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, the Associated Press reported. Over 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the AP, citing the Gaza Health Ministry.

Online critics have attacked several celebrities who have commented on the issue, accusing them of either saying too little or of expressing what they consider to be the wrong viewpoint.

An exclusive poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies on behalf of Newsweek surveyed 1,500 eligible U.S. voters on October 29. In that sample, 19 percent of people said a celebrity or influencer they follow on social media has voiced an opinion about the war between Israel and Hamas.

That 19 percent were then asked if they had unfollowed a celebrity or influencer on social media over their opinions on the war. Of that group, 36 percent said yes, which is about 7 percent of survey respondents.

Sixteen percent of the 1,500 people surveyed said they strongly supported celebrities voicing their opinions on the war, with 10 percent of people strongly opposing it.

The poll comes as celebrities supporting either Israel or Palestinians—or even being impartial—are being subject to fierce backlash online. Famous faces such as Bella Hadid, Gal Gadot and Kylie Jenner have found themselves at the center of controversy for their remarks.

Angelina Jolie is also one of the many celebrities who sparked outrage after sharing a statement, which the actor posted to Instagram on October 30, expressing support for civilians on both sides of the conflict.

Newsweek reached out to a representative of Jolie for comment via email Wednesday.

"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."

Jolie 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."

Although some followers praised the Maleficent star for her statement, others slammed Jolie for refusing to choose sides.

Likewise, actor and beauty mogul Selena Gomez found herself in hot water after she chose to remain neutral over the conflict, with the singer and actor's social media posts on the topic not having sat well with some fans. Claims that Scott Friedman, the CEO of Gomez's beauty line, Rare Beauty, is a Zionist have also led to calls for a boycott of the cosmetics line.

Comedian Amy Schumer, who has shared a number of social media posts expressing sympathy for the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives, has faced ongoing backlash. One comment that sparked widespread criticism was when she accused a number of media outlets in the West of "blaming Israel" for the explosion that took place in the parking lot of al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City on October 17. She also called for editors at specified outlets to be fired.

Newsweek reached out to representatives for Gomez and Schumer for comment via email Wednesday.

Update 11/9/23, 4:51 a.m. ET. This article has been updated to correct information regarding the survey.