“Harry Potter” star Emma Watson has been accused of anti-Semitism over a pro-Palestinian Instagram post calling for solidarity.
The post, which Watson shared on Monday, featured a photo of a pro-Palestine rally with the words “Solidarity is a verb” covering the image. Watson included a caption by academic Sara Ahmed on the definition of solidarity. On Wednesday, the post received over 1.2 million likes.
The message sparked a reaction from Israeli officials, including Danny Danon, the country’s former science minister and then ambassador to the United Nations. Danon shared Watson’s post on Twitter with the caption: “10 Gryffindor points for being an anti-Semite.”
10 Gryffindor points for being an anti-Semite.@Emma Watson pic.twitter.com/Qaqkx36JSg
– Ambassador Danny Danon | דנון (@dannydanon) January 3, 2022
Current Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan has also expressed his disapproval on Twitter, writing that “fiction may work in Harry Potter but it does not work in reality.”
Fiction may work in Harry Potter, but it does not work in reality. If so, the magic used in the wizarding world could eliminate the evils of Hamas (which oppresses women and seeks annihilation of Israel) and the Palestinian Authority (which supports terrorism). I would be in favor of that! pic.twitter.com/u1TrP3sqSS
– Ambassador Gilad Erdan ארדן (@ giladerdan1) January 3, 2022
Others rejected accusations of anti-Semitism leveled at Watson. British politician Sayeeda Warsi responded to Danon’s comments on Twitter, writing that “showing solidarity with the Palestinians is not anti-Semitism”.
Repeat after me Mr. …
Showing solidarity with the Palestinians is not anti-Semitism
Appalling comments from former Israeli ambassador to the UN
These constant attempts to stifle all support for the Palestinians must be denounced.
Solidarity @Emma Watson #Palestine #Emma Watson https://t.co/wldYw2PI36– Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) January 3, 2022
MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin also hit back at Danon on Twitter, saying, “No kidding, we’re at the point where just posting a vague photo referring to solidarity with the Palestinians on Instagram qualifies you. anti-Semite. “
No kidding, we’re at the point where just posting a vague photo referring to solidarity with the Palestinians on Instagram makes you sound like an anti-Semite. We are only January 3rd. May God give me patience for this year. https://t.co/DsH4K9umtd
– Ayman (@AymanM) January 3, 2022
A number of other celebrities have expressed their support for Palestine over the past year. Model Bella Hadid attended a pro-Palestine march in New York in May following escalating tensions between Palestine and Israel, and author Sally Rooney refused to allow an Israeli company to translate her book “Beautiful World, Where Are You” in Hebrew to protest the country’s policy towards Palestine.
