Madonna’s Instagram post of Jew and Arab kissing causes a stir
Pop superstar Madonna has stoked controversy by posting an image on Instagram showing two men – a Palestinian and a Jew – about to kiss.
The post, in which both men are wearing religious or nationalist headgear, was seen by some as a political statement.
The singer posted the photo – taken by Israeli fashion photographer Ziv Sade – alongside a caption: ‘This image is . ❤️#rebelhearts‘, which is the title of her new album.
Within minutes of it going up, a mixed reaction from some of her 3.9 million followers on the social media site ensued.
One user commented: “Islam doesn’t support homosexuality and if someone doesn’t like that then they don’t have to be Muslim. Its that’s simple.”
Another posted: “I’m arab, and I found this great! People have the right to be whoever they want to be and be who they really are…”
Someone else said: “If this pic portraying love between two human beings is ‘causing a commotion’ the they need to get a life.’..”
Aside from commenting on the Israel-Palestine connection, others posted about the portrayal of homosexuality.
One user reacted to a homophobic comment, saying: “It s not because you practice your religion that i call you homophobic…. it s because you say homosexuality is a choice!! Which [it] is not!!!’
Someone replied saying: “I see two men one Muslim perhaps and one Jewish together sharing a moment of peace. Can’t we just all get along without discussing religious beliefs ? This image can be read in a million times , it might be just a simple friendship between two man?
One last comment told users that were offended to “just unfollow and freely practice your b******* somewhere else.”
Madonna has posted a number of Instagram posts with the tag #rebelhearts‘. Some of these posts have included controversial portrayals of iconic political figures, including Martin Luther King and Margaret Thatcher.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
