Mohamed Hadid, the father of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, issued an apology after sending hateful messages to Congressman Ritchie Torres regarding the Bronx rep’s support of Israel. While Hadid acknowledged that he used the wrong words to express his anger, he described Torres as being “used by Israel” and justified his feelings of anger as being warranted due to the ongoing situation in Palestine. The apologetic tone was not well-received by Torres, who dismissed it as fraudulent and criticized Hadid for his racist and bigoted language in previous messages.
Hadid had previously sent Torres a series of derogatory messages filled with racist and homophobic remarks, calling the congressman a “slave to whites” and making derogatory comments about his appearance. He targeted Torres after the congressman’s vocal defense of Israel following a Hamas massacre in October. Hadid’s messages, which included references to the KKK and suggestions of working as a bouncer at a gay bar, were widely criticized as being unacceptable and highly offensive.
In response to the backlash over his messages, Hadid issued an apology where he expressed regret for using inappropriate language to convey his anger. He stated that his outburst was a result of his frustration with the way Israel treats black and brown people and uses gay rights as a shield for human rights violations. Hadid, who himself is a Palestinian native, mentioned his refugee status and the ongoing genocide in Palestine as contributing factors to his heightened emotions.
The developer also admitted that he should not have directed the conversation in such a negative way and regretted momentarily shifting focus away from the Palestinian cause. He expressed his dissatisfaction with United States politicians whom he perceived as working as messengers of genocide on behalf of AIPAC. Despite attempting to clarify his intentions and express remorse for the offensive language used, Hadid’s apology was met with skepticism by Torres and others who viewed his initial messages as indicative of deep-seated racism and intolerance.
The incident involving Hadid’s messages to Congressman Torres serves as a reminder of the impact of hateful and discriminatory language, especially when sent by individuals in positions of power and influence. It highlights the need for accountability and consequences for those who engage in such behavior, as well as the importance of promoting understanding, respect, and tolerance in public discourse. It also underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding issues related to Israel and Palestine, and the challenges of finding peaceful and just resolutions amidst deeply entrenched conflicts and grievances.
