Tiffany Haddish is facing criticism for her recent trip to Israel, where she aimed to gain insight into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Haddish, who is Jewish and discovered her heritage later in life, shared her intentions on Instagram Live during a flight to the Middle Eastern country.
“This is an educational trip for me. I want to go get educated. I want to see what’s really going on. I want to learn how it started, why it started,” she explained during the livestream, while also joking about meeting her future husband in the Holy Land.
While Haddish expressed her openness to visiting Gaza as well, her comments sparked backlash from some of her followers, particularly those in support of Palestine. Adult film star Mia Khalifa took a jab at Haddish on social media, sarcastically stating her own plans to visit North Korea for a similar “educational” experience.
Haddish defended her trip, citing the importance of seeing things firsthand rather than relying solely on social media. She also noted that she knows people who have visited Israel and returned safely, challenging the notion of the region’s inherent danger.
Despite her explanations, many criticized Haddish for what they perceived as a lack of sensitivity towards the ongoing conflict and its victims. Some fans expressed disappointment in her approach to the trip, viewing it as a leisurely vacation rather than a serious endeavor to understand the complex geopolitical situation.
Haddish’s trip comes amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, with the US recently vetoing a resolution for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. While Haddish has not responded to the backlash directly, her visit has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of public figures when engaging with sensitive political issues.