In an effort to raise awareness of the current humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, US supermodel twins Bella and Gigi Hadid have pledged $1 million (£785,000) to support Palestinian relief efforts. The funds are designated for a fair distribution among four humanitarian organizations that support families and children impacted by the Gaza conflict. The sisters have been outspoken in their support of those impacted; their father is Palestinian real estate mogul Mohamed Anwar Hadid.
Funding Distribution
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), World Central Kitchen (WCK), Heal Palestine, and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) will all get the funding, according to a Bella Hadid spokesman. These groups play a crucial role in offering different kinds of assistance. Heal Palestine and PCRF focus on providing medical and psychological services so that families and children may get the treatment they need, including mental health support.
Social Advocacy
Bella Hadid is an advocate, and her fashion choices too reflect this. She created a stir last month at the Cannes Film Festival by donning a garment made of the traditional Arabic cloth known as the keffiyeh, which has a deep cultural connection to Palestine. The red-and-white ensemble stood for the needlework history, endurance, and creative excellence of Palestine.
In her social media posts, Bella described the ensemble as a "beautiful way to represent the history, labour of love, resilience, and, most importantly, the art of historic Palestinian embroidery." The significant media coverage her clothing choice garnered enhanced her message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Similarly, following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, Gigi Hadid shared her perspective on social media. She condemned violence, mourned innocent lives lost, and affirmed support for Palestinian rights. Crucially, she emphasised non-violence and coexistence, rejecting harm against Jewish individuals.
Rising Hostilities
The tokens of affection from the Hadid sisters occur against the backdrop of Israel and Hamas' growing hostility. To emphasise the need to put a stop to the bloodshed immediately, US President Joe Biden recently pleaded with Hamas to accept a fresh Israeli proposal to end hostilities in Gaza. The conflict began when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 252 back to Gaza as hostages. More than 36,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.