Gwyneth Paltrow Faces Backlash Over Luxury Apartment Ad in Israel
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has come under fire for her appearance in a promotional video for luxury apartments in Israel. Following the ad’s release, many critics took to social media to express their outrage, questioning whether Paltrow is truly “a very bad person” or simply “naive,” as reported by Euronews.com.
The 53-year-old actress, who has shifted her focus towards lifestyle business ventures with her brand Goop, featured in an advertisement for 51 Park, a high-end residential complex located in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv. In the video, Paltrow discusses her morning routine and highlights the benefits of living near parkland.
“There’s a reason why the most iconic buildings in the world are next to a park,” she states during the clip. When asked if the luxury property is situated in New York, she responds, “Herzliya. Israel.”
Criticism Alights Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
The advertisement quickly sparked significant backlash online, with many commentators referencing the ongoing war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis affecting the region. Critics pointed out that just a few kilometers from 51 Park, Palestinians are being killed and displaced due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups.
According to a recent analysis by the humanitarian organization Oxfam, the number of Palestinians killed in the past three years has surpassed that of the previous 17 years combined.
Despite not personally sharing the advertisement on her social media, Paltrow’s recent posts on Instagram were bombarded with Palestinian flags and messages like “Free Palestine.”
One user on platform X expressed their dismay, stating, “A total moral degradation. While children in Gaza face genocide, starvation, and massacre, Gwyneth Paltrow promotes luxury apartments in Israel. No conscience, no ethics, just pure complicity with an occupying regime. Absolutely outrageous.”
Another comment labeled her as “a disgusting woman,” suggesting that she would do anything for a little extra money. One user even recounted their change of heart about Paltrow, saying, “I used to admire Gwyneth Paltrow for her acting talent. I have seen every one of her films. Today I feel like vomiting. For a few bucks, which she has plenty of, she sold her soul to the devil by promoting a residential project in Israel built on stolen Palestinian land.”
A number of public figures have weighed in on the controversy, accusing the advertisement of insensitivity and labeling Paltrow as “complicit.” Alana Hadid, the sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid and of Palestinian descent, called the campaign “out of touch” and “complicit,” while influencer Matt Bernstein criticized Paltrow’s involvement in the ad, stating that “the level of greed and degradation is truly incomprehensible.”
Livia Giuggioli also condemned Paltrow’s participation in the advertising campaign, describing it as “disgusting” and announcing she had canceled a scheduled visit from Paltrow to her farm in Italy. “We just canceled Gwyneth Paltrow,” Giuggioli said in an Instagram video. “She was supposed to come to the farm in a few weeks for a ‘farm-to-table’ experience, and we canceled everything because what she did is completely unacceptable.”
As of now, Paltrow has not publicly addressed the backlash, leaving many of her critics’ questions unanswered.
She is not the only celebrity to face negative reactions due to business ventures or investments connected to Israel. Last year, Leonardo DiCaprio faced criticism for co-funding a luxury eco-hotel in Israel. The actor had also previously invested in the social media company Mobli and Aleph Farms.
Multiple human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Last week, Amnesty International released a 149-page report alleging that the Israeli government is conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly denied these accusations, asserting that military operations aim to defeat Hamas.
