Emma Watson Faces Backlash Following Social Media Post

Emma Watson has been accused of antisemitism after she shared a social media post in support of the Palestinian cause.

Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations criticised the Harry Potter star, 31, after she shared an image on Instagram which was originally posted by the page Bad Activist Collective.

It shows a photograph of a protest in support of Palestine with a superimposed banner which reads “Solidarity is a Verb”.

Watson’s post was accompanied with a quote about the importance of solidarity by feminist scholar Sara Ahmed.

The quote reads: "Solidarity does not assume that our struggles are the same struggles, or that our pain is the same pain, or that our hope is for the same future.

"Solidarity involves commitment, and work, as well as the recognition that even if we do not have the same feelings, or the same lives, or the same bodies, we do live on common ground.”

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The conflict between Israel and Palestine is ongoing as the two sides fight to claim ownership of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In May 2021 protests between the conflict between the two sides escalated into rocket attacks from Gaza and airstrikes by Israel but the conflicts have actually endured since the mid 20th century. Emma's post has been interpreted by some as anti-Semitic because it supports Palestine and not the Jewish state of Israel.

The post lead to criticism from some Israeli officials, including Danny Danon, who was once Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN).

Dannon shared Watson’s post on his Twitter account and said: “10 points from Gryffindor for being antisemite.”

Danon’s comments received criticism from Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi, who called his comments “appalling” and shared her solidarity with Watson.

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She said: “Showing solidarity with Palestinians is not antisemitism. Appalling comments from former Israeli Ambassador to the UN. These constant attempts to stifle any and all support for Palestinians must be called out. Solidarity @EmmaWatson.”

Israel’s current ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, also criticised the actress on social media.

He said: “Fiction may work in Harry Potter but it does not work in reality.

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"If it did the magic used in the wizarding world could eliminate the evils of Hamas (which oppresses women and seeks the annihilation of Israel) and the Palestinian Authority (which supports terror). I would be in favour of that!” 

However Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, tweeted support for Watson and her post.

He said: “Solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation and justice is a human and moral duty on all freedom loving people. Thank you to Emma Watson.”

Emma Watson's representatives have been contacted by Tyla for comment.