Celebrities for a Cause: Bella Hadid, the Pro-Palestine War Influencer

Europe and America desk, researchers Mowa Eriksson Krutrök (Umeå University, Sweden) and Tom Divon (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) explore the role of social media influencers in war zones in their paper “The Rise of War Influencers.” This 30-page study, which examines the Ukraine war and pro-Ukraine influencers, is being published in installments. Below is the third section.

In today’s digital culture, especially during active conflicts, war influencers play a pivotal role. Leveraging their online reach, they craft narratives, foster unity, and mobilize support. Their actions stem from strong national or ideological ties, embodying the “rally around the flag” effect during crises.

Celebrity War Influencers – Public figures whose activism is deeply tied to personal or ideological bonds.

Bella Hadid, a global supermodel with Palestinian roots, uses Instagram to highlight Palestinian suffering during Israel’s wars on Gaza (2021–2025).

Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress, openly supports Israel on social media due to her Jewish heritage.
Unlike performative celebrity activism, these figures engage in sustained, politically charged advocacy.

User-Generated War Influencers – Ordinary individuals who gain fame by documenting war-torn realities.

They leverage platform algorithms and viral trends to amplify their messages, often blending war documentation with native internet humor and irony.

Their content adapts to algorithmic preferences, making trauma more “consumable” while sometimes spreading misinformation.