MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Is Billie Eilish a Zionist? Popstar trolled for saying 'Hi Israel' in ‘Happier Than Ever’ promo

The video was reportedly a promo for MTV Israel and was shared on the channel’s Instagram, both as a Story and as a post

Popstar Billie Eilish, while promoting her new album ‘Happier Than Ever’, reportedly released a video addressing her Israeli fans. She said in the video: “Hi Israel. This is Billie Eilish and I am so excited my new album ‘Happier Than Ever’ is out now. Swipe up to listen. The video was reportedly a promo for MTV Israel and was shared on the channel’s Instagram, both as a Story and as a post.

The aftermath of this post has seen much outrage, especially with people accusing Eilish of Zionism, an ideology and movement centered around the recreation of a Jewish presence in Israel. This outrage also comes in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. On Thursday, July 29, Israeli troops shot and killed a 20-year-old Shawkat Khalid Awad, a Palestinian man, during a protest that erupted at the funeral of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who was reportedly shot dead by soldiers a day earlier.

READ MORE

Is Billie Eilish racist? She mocked Asians, used 'blaccent', claims TikTok video

Billie Eilish: Fans defend singer as trolls attack 'homophobic' beau Matthew Tyler Vorce

As per an Al Jazeera report, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and stun grenades at Palestinians attending the funeral procession of 12-year-old Mohammed al-Alami, who died on Wednesday after being shot by Israeli soldiers while traveling in a car with his father in the occupied West Bank town of Beit Ummar northwest of Hebron. Alami’s killing arrived just days after 17-year-old Mohammed Munir al-Tamimi’s death on Saturday. He reportedly died of gunshot wounds suffered the day before in the Palestinian village of Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah.

On social media, many people decried Eilish’s short promotional video, accusing her of supporting Israel’s reported atrocities against the Palestinian people. “Billie Eilish is not just a racist but also a zionist, I can't with her anymore,” said one Twitter user. Another person tweeted, “Billie Eilish being a zionist is literally not surprising at all.” One person tweeted, “Billie Eilish being a Zionist is like the least shocking revelation you could come up with lmao, like wow no way the racist while girl is being racist again.”

One Twitter user shared her video and wrote, “Happier than ever to support apartheid and ethnic cleansing.” Another person tweeted, “Why didn't @billieeilish say Hi Palestine. Even Madonna has acknowledged the error of her ways. Israel killed 66 kids in 11 days in brutal military assault on Gaza.” One tweet read: “daily exposed white women of the day is your fav zionist Billie Eilish! what a shocker I wonder who’d called her out on her red flags and racist actions before??”

Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. Noted musicians who support the movement include Roger Waters, Julian Casablancas, Patti Smith, the band Rage Against the Machine, rap group Run the Jewels, Serj Tankian of System of a Down, and the DJ and drummer Questlove. 

Eilish recently opened up about her experience with internet trolling and criticism during an interview. "The people that even say the crazy stuff don't even think you will see it. They would never say that to you in real life. What is the point of trying to do good if people are just going to keep saying that you are doing wrong?" she said. "I try so hard to do good for the world and good for people. It's like you can try to do everything right and still it is like one of those exposing celebs accounts goes, 'Billie Eilish is getting backlash for whatever in the world,'" the musician added.