Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner's Israel Visit Sparks Fury

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's Israel visit has sparked fierce backlash online, with social media users dubbing the couple "parasites" and "frauds."

The daughter of the former president and her husband traveled to Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel on December 21, meeting with officials and relatives of those taken hostage by Hamas.

On October 7, the Palestinian militant group launched a shock attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people at a music festival and in Jewish communities along the Gaza border—including Kfar Aza—and taking 240 people hostage.

Israel fired its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to "demolish Hamas." Supplies of food, medicine, fuel and energy into Gaza were suspended, before a ground offensive was launched on October 27.

As of December 22, at least 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the Associated Press reported, while roughly 85 percent of the area's 2.3 million population have been made homeless.

Sharing news of their Israel visit to X—formerly Twitter—Kushner said: "It's important to see with one's own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7.

"We met with families of those that were kidnapped, including some still in Gaza. We met with several political leaders who are committed to building lasting solutions to intractable problems.

He continued: "With determination, trust, pragmatism and creativity, the previously unthinkable can be accomplished.

"We will pray that the coalition for peace, prosperity, respect and understanding will prevail and create a bright and exciting future for humanity."

Newsweek has reached out to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner for comment via email.

The 42-year-old's message has received over 344,000 views so far, but the trip divided X users.

Some accused Trump and Kushner of using the visit as a publicity opportunity, calling it "shameless self promotion."

"What are they doing there?" asked Jayne. "They both could care less about the Israeli people."

"Full makeup and brand new white tennis shoes! What a fraud [Ivanka] is," said @ndeleo53.

"They're looking for a way to profit off the carnage, as the parasites they are," wrote Yayger.

However, pro-Palestinian users saw the trip as the couple supporting Israel and ignoring the situation in Gaza, with Shafiq commenting: "A coin has two sides."

"Will you ever go to gaza? Will you talk about suffering of Palestinians for 75 years," asked Laiba Wahid.

"It's even more important to see both sides of the conflict, otherwise its just a media tour," wrote SK. "But im guessing you dont need to see what happened in gaza."

"They are so disgusting," said Barbara Patterson. "Seriously, across the border in Gaza people are dying and there is a humanitarian emergency crisis but the $2B Saudis are there for a photo shoot."

However, others applauded the visit, with Jake Gardner telling the couple to "keep up the good work!"

"Jared, you and Ivanka are an inspiration," said Victory Violet.

"Thank you for being there, and thank you for speaking out," wrote Hezi Hershkovitz. "Too many are silent, and complicit with Hamas atrocities."

With a conflict as long-standing and complex as the one between Israel and Palestinians, public figures offering support for either group are facing significant backlash.

Elon Musk caused uproar with his own tour of Kfar Aza in November, guided by Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Jewish American comedian Amy Schumer has also come under fire for her remarks on the Israel-Hamas war, after sharing a meme that compared Gazans to rapists, while some fans are threatening to boycott Stranger Things over star Noah Schnapp's comments.

In a statement on the Hamas attacks, the Jewish American actor declared: "You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism," sparking fury. The 19-year-old later shared a video featuring a sticker that read "Zionism is sexy," leading to further backlash.

Pro-Palestinian celebrities have also caused controversy with their statements. Scream actress Melissa Barrera was fired from the horror franchise after accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, while Oscar winner Susan Sarandon was dropped by her agency due to her speech at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York in November.

Gigi Hadid was criticized for spreading "blood libel," after the model accused Israel of harvesting the organs of Palestinians without consent, while actor John Cusack claimed he was "shadow banned" on X for his support of Palestinians.