What Mia Khalifa Has Said About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Many celebrities have shared their thoughts on the Israeli-Palestinian war since Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7.

Although famous faces have spoken out in support of both Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, few have been accused of publicly backing Hamas, like Mia Khalifa.

Playboy ended its podcasting deal with the former adult film star after she referred to Hamas as "freedom fighters" on social media, while magic mushroom brand Red Light Holland chose to drop her as an adviser.

After Hamas' unprecedented attack on October 7, Israel subsequently launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. According to the Associated Press, so far at least 1,400 people had been killed in Israel, while at least 3,785 people have been killed in Gaza.

"Can someone please tell the freedom fighters in Palestine to flip their phones and film horizontal," the 30-year-old wrote soon after Hamas' attacks on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter.

Khalifa apologized for the post on October 9, writing: "I just want to make it clear that this statement in no way shape or form is [inciting] spread of violence."

"I specifically said freedom fighters because that's what the Palestinian citizens are... fighting for freedom every day."

Newsweek has reached out to Khalifa via email for comment.

Khalifa has since gone quiet on social media, but she has liked a flurry of X posts supporting Palestinians and condemning the Israeli government.

Amid calls for the actress to be "canceled," here is everything Khalifa has said about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far.

'Are You Insane for Expecting Me to Be on the Side of Colonialism'

On October 8, Red Light Holland CEO Todd Shapiro fired Khalifa on X, calling her post "beyond disgusting."

"The fact that you are condoning death, rape, beatings and hostage taking is truly gross," he said. "I pray for you to become a better person."

Khalifa reposted Shapiro's response, writing: "I'd say supporting Palestine has lost me business opportunities, but I'm more angry at myself for not checking whether or not I was entering into business with Zionists. My bad."

In a follow-up post about the firing, Khalifa said: "I just wanna make sure there's 4k footage of my people breaking down the walls of the open air prison they've been forced out of their homes and into so we have good options for the history books that write about how they freed themselves from apartheid."

"Please worry about your sad little company lacking direction and purpose before you utter my name again. I stand with all people fighting oppression, now and always, do your research before begging for my investment in your little project, I'm from LEBANON, are you insane for expecting me to be on the side of colonialism you f****** weirdo."

'Don't You Ever Disrespect Me and My Experience With What Geopolitical War Is Again'

On October 10, Khalifa shared a screenshot of a direct message from Peter Rosenberg, a wrestler and co-host the WQHT (Hot 97) radio show Ebro in the Morning.

"Awful tweet dude .... Wow," the 44-year-old wrote in response to Khalifa's "freedom fighters" post.

"I stand with all oppressed people, everywhere, until no one is fighting for freedom," Khalifa replied. "I'm from Lebanon, I've lived through more air [raids] by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] than your tiny privileged brain could ever know how to work through.

"[You] know nothing but tall tales of a land that doesn't belong to you, created by a military that has nothing to do with your peaceful god loving religion. Don't you ever disrespect me and my experience with what geopolitical war is again you man child."

In response, Rosenberg told Newsweek that he found Khalifa's attitude to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "unhinged and ridiculous."

"The idea of demanding that people take sides hours after finding out that innocent people had been slaughtered was so counterproductive and hateful," he said.

"I don't care that she posted our direct message. I didn't consider her a friend. I was trying to avoid being messy on a day that's not about myself or Mia Khalifa."

'My Wine Is Older Than Your Apartheid "State"'

In June 2021, Khalifa went viral after calling Israel an "apartheid state." The model was responding to increased tensions in the region, following the deaths of 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis in an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Taking to X, Khalifa shared a snap of herself with two bottles of vintage wine—one from 1943 and another from 1945—along with the caption: "My wine is older than your apartheid 'state'"

The post sparked uproar online, with Avi Mayer—managing director of global communications at the American Jewish Committee—accusing Khalifa of "showcasing champagne produced in Nazi-occupied France."

In response, Khalifa shared footage of herself dancing to Édith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose," released in 1947.

"Enjoying what would be classified as 'Nazi-era' music according to the NYPost's logic on things produced in 1940's France," she wrote.

"Let's keep this same energy in 78 years with people who support Israeli brands and products funding apartheid."

'Genocide Barbie'

In May 2021, Israeli actress Gal Gadot condemned the clash between Palestinian citizens and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank.

Posting to Instagram, the Wonder Woman star said: "Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation, our neighbors deserve the same."

A few days later, Khalifa reposted an HBO Max promo graphic for Wonder Woman 1984 to X, along with the caption: "We asked for the #SnyderCut, not Genocide Barbie."

In the past, Gadot has been slammed for her pro-Israel stance. Since the current conflict broke out, she has dedicated her Instagram account to supporting Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, along with the hashtags "#IStandWithIsrael" and "#BringThemBack."

Update 10/20/23, 7:03 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.