After enduring a week of online backlash for featuring in a promotional video for the 51 Park luxury residential development in Herzliya, Israel, actress Gwyneth Paltrow has refrained from addressing the criticism on social media. The 53-year-old Academy Award winner stars in a commercial released by developer Aviv by Melisron, where she describes a morning routine and extols the virtues of park-side buildings in Herzliya, Israel, rather than New York as suggested by a driver in the ad.
The video, shared on YouTube and Instagram by the developer, gained significant attention following reposts that sparked a strong public reaction. An Instagram post from satirical account Saint Hoax criticizing Paltrow’s involvement in the ad garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and ignited a wave of disapproval on various social media platforms. Commenters highlighted the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its humanitarian impact as reasons why Paltrow’s participation was deemed inappropriate.
Despite not sharing the ad on her own social media accounts, Paltrow faced criticism from many online users who posted Palestinian flags and “Free Palestine” messages on her recent Instagram posts. Activist Alana Hadid, known for her pro-Palestine stance, condemned Paltrow’s ad as “tone-deaf,” amplifying the backlash alongside other public figures like actor Geraldine Viswanathan and makeup influencer Matt Bernstein, who expressed strong disapproval for Paltrow’s involvement.
However, there were supporters of Paltrow who came to her defense. Israeli author and influencer Hen Mazzig commended Paltrow for associating herself with Israel despite the potential career risks. He praised her for endorsing an apartment complex in Herzliya, emphasizing it as a simple business decision. Despite the mixed reactions, Paltrow received support from fellow celebrities like actor Selma Blair and David Draiman, the lead singer of the band Disturbed.
Paltrow is not the only celebrity to face scrutiny for business ties with Israeli companies or projects. Leonardo DiCaprio, another Oscar winner, encountered online criticism for his involvement in a luxury eco-hotel project near Tel Aviv and his investment in the Israeli cultivated-meat company Aleph Farms. Similarly, other high-profile figures like Ashton Kutcher, Jay-Z, Serena Williams, and Tobey Maguire have also been reported to support Israeli tech and business ventures.
At the time of writing, representatives for Paltrow and Aviv by Melisron have not responded to requests for comment.