Justin Timberlake Faces Backlash Over Israel Photo

Justin Timberlake is facing backlash over a resurfaced photo on social media that showed him visiting Israel.

The backlash began following the announcement of his feature on BTS member Jungkook's remixed song "3D."

The picture was taken in 2014 and shows Timberlake praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Timberlake shared it to his Instagram at the time, with the caption: "The Holy Land... What an experience. I will never forget this day. #Israel."

The Western Wall is a holy place where Jews can pray at the Temple Mount, which is one of the most revered sites in Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

People reacted swiftly to the photo amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Emotions are running high and any comments by celebrities on social media are being criticized by one side or the other, while those who stay silent are also facing censure.

Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas, attacking the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and a ground invasion, and about 13,300 people have died so far, according to the Associated Press. The two sides agreed to a temporary pause in fighting beginning on Friday to facilitate an exchange of hostages for prisoners and humanitarian aid.

In a rare move by fans of BTS, who are known to be highly loyal, many called for a boycott of Jungkook's song with Timberlake.

"i really really REALLY hate to say this but justin timberlake is a zionist. dont stream s***," wrote one person on X.

Another added: "JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE IS A ZIONIST AND NOT SUPPORTING THIS REMIX DOESN'T MAKE YOU A JUNGKOOK ANTI THERE'S A F****** GENOCIDE GOING ON."

And a third wrote: "idk why ppl are defending justin timberlake... the man who sought out to slut shame and slander britney spears' name and humiliate janet jackson. also he's a zionist..."

Newsweek contacted Timberlake's representative by email for comment.

Zionism refers to the Jewish nationalist movement formed in 1897, which moved to create a state for Jewish people. This eventually led to the formation of Israel in 1948, following the Holocaust, in which more than 6 million Jewish people died.

However, some critics of Zionism have argued the creation of Israel forced Palestinians off their land in what is called the Nakba, also known as the Catastrophe. It led to 750,000 Palestinians fleeing to other countries and a further 160,000 being internally displaced within Israel.

Many celebrities have faced public backlash over their opinions on the Israel-Hamas war.

Timberlake is himself no stranger to public criticism, with recent calls for him to be cancelled following the release of of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, on October 24.

Fans began reassessing his past behavior, particularly his treatment of ex-girlfriend Spears and singer Janet Jackson.

Spears revealed in her book that Timberlake had been unfaithful during their three-year relationship and made her have an abortion that she did not want to have.

Following their breakup, his video for Cry Me a River, from the album Justified, is about a man taking revenge on his adulterous ex and features a Spears lookalike in the video.

Fans also condemned his treatment of Jackson after they performed together at the 2004 Superbowl half-time show.

During the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, Timberlake pulled down the front of Jackson's body suit, revealing her breast to the audience and viewers watching at home. CBS was fined $555,000 for the incident, making it the largest fine ever for "indecency" on TV.

Jackson lost work, with the network declining to promote her album Damita Jo, but Timberlake suffered no repercussions, despite the act being non-consensual. Timberlake recently apologized to Jackson, and she accepted, but "Nipplegate" has remained a stain on his character.