‘Grossly irresponsible’ influencers fuelling anti-Israel hate online

Young Australians’ attitudes towards the conflict in the Middle East are being shaped by passionately anti-Israel social media influencers, who use accounts dedicated to everything from makeup to parenting to push pro-Palestinian messages.

Young Australians’ attitudes towards the conflict in the Middle East are being shaped by passionately anti-Israel social media influencers, who use accounts dedicated to everything from makeup to parenting to push pro-Palestinian messages.

Internationally, Instagram accounts run by individuals like makeup entrepreneur Huda Kattan (3.9 million followers), actor Mark Ruffalo (20.5 million) and artist Kehlani (15.6 million) have all been conscripted into the Palestinian cause.

Locally, accounts run by media figures such as Clementine Ford and Antoinette Lattouf have come under heavy criticism for posts that have attacked supporters of Israel and appeared to minimise anti-Semitic incidents. David Adler from the Australian Jewish Association said: “These sorts are grossly irresponsible, pouring fuel on the flames of anti-Semitism and serving as useful idiots for jihadists. Hamas would thank them.”

Author Clementine Ford.

Kehlani.

A number of governments including the US, UK, Canada and Australia have designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Ms Ford recently attacked the Albanese government’s support for Israel as “pathetic” and “gross”.

“You’re pathetic, you disgust me and I pity you for being so f...ing basic and gross that you think others should cheer on the murder of thousands just to make you feel better,” she wrote.

Ms Lattouf, meanwhile, has made repeated efforts to debunk claims protesters chanted “gas the Jews” at a rally at the Opera House.

Lauren Dubois, a former press gallery journalist and author of a parenting book, meanwhile, posted last week suggesting that Westfield billionaire Frank Lowy took part in the “forced dispossession” of Arabs when he fought in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. She also suggested he was using his fortune to influence Labor policy on Israel.

Abbie Chatfield.

Antoinette Lattouf.

A number of other social media influencers including Abby Chatfield have also come under fire recently for their pro-Palestinian stances.

Chatfield, 28, a podcaster and reality TV host, said she would not “platform Zionists” on her program.

Social media experts have warned that many platforms have become inundated with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic propaganda.