Leonardo DiCaprio faces backlash over 'Israeli' hotel project

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio is under fire after final construction approval was granted for a luxury beachfront hotel in Herzliya, 'Israel', developed in partnership with an 'Israeli' group. The project will span 51,000 square meters and include 365 rooms, a marina, and eco-friendly features.

The news has sparked backlash online, with critics accusing DiCaprio of hypocrisy, noting his longstanding reputation as a climate activist and champion of humanitarian causes. Many say his involvement in a luxury 'Israeli' development at a time of heightened global scrutiny of Israeli Occupation’s aggression in Gaza undermines his public image.

Social media users have flooded platforms with calls to boycott DiCaprio’s work, accusing him of "performative activism" and aligning with an apartheid state. Some pointed to his name being listed in the Jeffrey Epstein files as further evidence of moral inconsistency.

"Another neoliberal using climate justice as a tool to protect capital," one user wrote. Another comment read: "Palestine revealed the truth about these actors who pretend to care. Now we see who they really are."

Activists argue that such partnerships legitimize the continued occupation and displacement of Palestinians, and that silence or complicity from influential figures normalizes injustice.

DiCaprio has not publicly responded to the criticism, and it's unclear whether the controversy will impact the project's future. However, the backlash highlights a growing demand for accountability from celebrities who speak out on global issues while engaging in ventures many view as ethically troubling.