Jessie J faces backlash after sharing plea for Hamas hostage’s suffering to end
British pop star had previously condemned Israel over Gaza, but angered anti-Israel activists by highlighting plight of Israeli captive Evyatar David
British singer Jessie J has drawn both praise and fierce criticism online after posting an emotional message about newly released footage of Hamas hostage Evyatar David, nearly two years into his captivity in Gaza.
In a story to her 14 million Instagram followers on Sunday, the pop star shared images from the video, describing it as “heartbreaking” and writing: “I just cannot bear the evil in this world. Please God, make the suffering end,” alongside a broken-heart emoji.
David, abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023, has now been held for 667 days. In two videos released by Hamas on Saturday, the 24-year-old appears severely emaciated, clutching a food log showing repeated days without meals. At one point he is seen digging what appears to be his own grave inside a tunnel.
Jessie J also reposted a statement from activist Rachel Moiselle that read: “I thought images of starved Jews digging their own graves would forever be confined to history books. To see the past become present is a horror. Never Again. Again.”
Her comments prompted a torrent of abuse from some social media users, with posts accusing her of being a “disgusting Zionist” and siding with Israel.
The reaction was in stark contrast to the applause she received earlier this year after sharing content accusing Israel of starving Gaza and condemning “the evil that lives in some people’s hearts” for doing so.
Commenting on the backlash, Israeli activist Hen Mazzig wrote: “Apparently, saying that a starved hostage forced to dig his own grave is wrong makes you a ‘disgusting Zionist’. Who knew? I’m confused – starving people is bad, right? Or does that not apply when they’re Jewish?”
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.
