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Who is Samira Nasr? Harper's Bazaar's editor apologizes for her 'deeply insensitive' post amid Israel massacre

Samira Nasr said, 'I am a firm believer that words matter, and I was careless with mine, my most sincere apologies'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Samira Nasr, the first Black woman and editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, apologized for her "deeply insensitive and hurtful comments" when she called Israel's decision to cut power to Gaza the "most inhuman thing" she had "ever seen."

Nasr, who rose to the position of editor-in-chief of the glitzy Hearst-owned fashion magazine in 2020, earlier published an Instagram story in which she criticized Israel for denying Gaza access to electricity and other necessities.

Israel's act of denying Gaza access to electricity acted as waging a counteroffensive against Hamas that carried out a deadly attack on Israel on Saturday that left 1,200 people dead, the vast majority of them civilians.

The New York Post reported that Nasr's apology came on Thursday, October 12, as Hearst officials sent their own statement distancing the organization from the controversial editor's opinions and pledged to donate $300,000 to charitable organizations in the area.

Samira Nasr is the 'proud daughter of a Lebanese father and Trinidadian mother'

In June 2020, Nasr was appointed editor-in-chief, taking over for the outgoing Glenda Bailey, who had served in that position for almost 20 years.

In a video announcing her appointment, Nasr stated, "As the proud daughter of a Lebanese father and Trinidadian mother, my world view is expansive and is anchored in the belief that representation matters," per Nasr's biography on the Business of Fashion website.

Nasr moved from Vanity Fair to Harper's Bazaar, where she held the position of executive fashion director. She began her career at Vogue, where she assisted renowned editor Grace Coddington.

Prior to Vanity Fair and Bazaar, she served as a freelance stylist for publications including InStyle and Elle, where she spent five years as the fashion director.

She did not waste any time in adding her own touch to the more than 150-year-old publication, adding more political and current affairs reporting and expanding the concept of what the magazine regards to be "luxury."

She brought on a bevy of new senior editors, including digital director Nikki Ogunnaike, executive editor Leah Chernikoff, and creative director Laura Genninger, to carry out her goals.

Samira Nasr's post received criticism from Hearst employees

Nasr's Instagram post of Tuesday night (October 10), "Cutting off water and electricity to 2.2 million civilians…This is the most inhuman thing I’ve seen in my life," immediately drew criticism from Hearst employees and members of the fashion industry.

One Hearst employee asked, "Really? That’s the most inhumane she’s seen? So, murder, rape and beheading is not?"

While another exclaimed to the New York Post, "Yesterday, when the news of beheaded babies emerged, Samira posts this."

Influencer Moti Ankari, who has written for magazines like Bloomberg Pursuits, Glamour, and GQ, also offered his opinion on Instagram.

An X user also took to the social media platform and slammed the editor-in-chief, "Water? What about cutting off babies’ heads…? Ladies and gentlemen #samiranasr ; Editor in Chief of @harpersbazaarus- let’s get this Jew hater fired."

Samira Nasr apologized to 'friends, colleagues, and the entire Jewish community'

In an effort to release the more than 100 captives who have been held hostage, Israel has called up almost 300,000 reservists and is preparing to invade Gaza.

On Thursday afternoon, Nasr posted an apology on her Instagram account, saying, "I want to apologize to my friends, colleagues, and the entire Jewish community for my deeply insensitive and hurtful comments."

"I have no hate in my heart for any people, and I am not in any way sympathetic to a terrorist group that just murdered thousands of innocent Israeli civilians. I am a firm believer that words matter, and I was careless with mine. My most sincere apologies."

The Post was given a document from Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, that criticized Nasr's initial statement.

According to sources, Nasr's apology was forced and she is on unstable ground inside the company's glossy hallways.

One Hearst employee alleged that the editor has been individually apologizing to Jewish staff members and asserted that she is "fighting for her job."