Kim Kardashian comes under fire for Israel support

US reality star removes pro-Israel tweet after complaints; Jewish celebrities use social media to defend Israel.

NOVEMBER 18, 2012 16:07

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian 370 (photo credit: Henry Romero / Reuters) — Reality TV star Kim Kardashian 370

(photo credit: Henry Romero / Reuters)

US socialite and reality TV star Kim Kardashian came under fire from Twitter followers over the weekend, after she posted pro-Israel and later pro-Palestinian comments on the micro-blogging site in light of the IDF's Operation Pillar of Defense to root out terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

The popular celebrity, who has well over 16 million followers on Twitter, decided Friday to voice her opinion on the violence by tweeting: "Praying for everyone in Israel."

This post lead to a barrage of strongly-worded reactions from followers of the star, who has Armenian roots, including one who called Kardashian a "disgrace to your people."

“@kimkardashian: Praying for everyone in Israel” You are a disgrace to your people and your ancestors, educate yourself.
— #KurdishHungerStrike (@MitraFarhan) November 16, 2012

"@ymkkkkk: People like you are the reason I want to die *Palestine "@kimkardashian: Praying for everyone in Israel""
— Nadine Irani (@nadineirani) November 16, 2012

The negative reactions led the popular star to tweet in response: "And praying for everyone in Palestine and across the world!" If Kardashian thought that this would put an end to the negativity aimed towards her and appease all her fans, she was sadly mistaken. The pro-Palestinian tweet caused even more reaction, with one tweeter claiming that she "takes back her tweets faster than her marriages," a reference to the star filing for divorce after only 72 days of marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries.

@michellemalkin She takes back her tweets faster than her marriages!
— Jonathan D. Bishop (@forallmankind) November 16, 2012

The fierce exchange of words on Twitter prompted the outspoken celebrity to delete both of the tweets and release an official apology on her website.

A message to you guys bit.ly/S3c0vV
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 16, 2012

"I want to own up to and explain that earlier today I sent out two tweets about saying prayers for the people in Palestine and Israel and after hearing from my followers, I decided to take down the tweets because I realized that some people were offended and hurt by what I said, and for that I apologize," the star wrote. "I should have pointed out my intentions behind these tweets when I posted them. The fact is that regardless of religion and political beliefs, there are countless innocent people involved who didnt [sic] choose this, and I pray for all of them and also for a resolution. I also pray for all the other people around the world who are caught in similar crossfires."

Kardashian's comments on Twitter were not the only ones to blow up on the social media platform. The violence in the Gaza Strip lead to an unlikely bond being formed between George Galloway and Rosanne Barr. After the pro-Palestinian UK politician urged Arabs to "turn your guns away from each other, Palestine is bleeding," the Jewish-born US actress showed her support for Gazans while blaming US President Barack Obama for not doing enough.

@georgegalloway by crusader alliance you mean the British Empire, right?
— Roseanne Barr (@TheRealRoseanne) November 14, 2012

inside gaza: are there grandmothers who can tweet me? I am so sorry that Obama is doing nothing to stop this terrible terrible attack on U!
— Roseanne Barr (@TheRealRoseanne) November 14, 2012

In a show of solidarity, Jewish celebrities have used Twitter in the past couple of days to show their support for Israeli citizens under fire. Jewish US actress Mayim Bialik simply tweeted "israel [sic] is on my mind."

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israel is on my mind.
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) November 15, 2012

Comedian and Fox News contributor Steven Crowder used Twitter to promote a lighthearted YouTube clip in which he explains why Israel has the right to defend itself.

Popular American comedian Jon Lovitz wasn't in a joking mood when his turn came to defending Israel.

You mess with Israel, they retaliate...TIMES TEN!!!!!Maybe you should just leave them alone.
— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) November 16, 2012

Internationally recognized Israeli celebrities have also used social media platforms to show the world what is going on. Model Bar Refaeli posted on the violence on Saturday:

unfortunately, there is a war going on in my home land Israel, that has to defend itself from missiles being shot by Hamas on public areas.
— Bar Refaeli (@BarRefaeli) November 17, 2012

Actress, model and Israel advocator Noa Tishby was even stronger in her tone.

Wishing the people of #Israel and Palestinians living under TERROR of #Hamas in #Gaza a quick resolution to this operation #PillarOfDefence
— noa tishby (@noatishby) November 16, 2012

Successful Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer demonstrated how it is to take cover from Gaza attacks when she posted a picture of herself "hiding from the missiles."

Michal and I hiding from the missiles twitter.com/shaharpeer/sta…
— shahar peer (@shaharpeer) November 17, 2012

It's not just celebrities that are using Twitter to voice their opinions and document the conflict. Both Israel and the Palestinians have been using the platform intensively since the start of the operation to keep followers updated and also as an advocacy tool.