J.K. Rowling accused of hypocrisy for speaking on Iran protests, staying silent on Gaza

Author J.K. Rowling has drawn global criticism after a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting civil unrest in Iran.

The Harry Potter creator aimed to call out what she described as the hypocrisy of human rights activists but instead faced accusations of double standards and "selective feminism".

Call to solidarity

On January 11, 2026, Rowling shared a viral post featuring a caricature of an Iranian woman lighting a cigarette from a burning portrait of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. She wrote:

"If you claim to support human rights yet can’t bring yourself to show solidarity with those fighting for their liberty in Iran, you’ve revealed yourself."

If you claim to support human rights yet can’t bring yourself to show solidarity with those fighting for their liberty in Iran, you’ve revealed yourself. You don’t give a damn about people being oppressed and brutalised so long as it’s being done by the enemies of your enemies. pic.twitter.com/eK3jjh3pD6

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2026

Read more: J.K. Rowling claims protestors in Iran are “rejecting Islam”

The tweet gained over 9 million views within 48 hours as Iran experiences its most significant unrest since late 2025, driven by economic collapse and political repression.

Controversial framing

Three days earlier, Rowling had quoted a video claiming that Iranians were "rejecting Islam, the Islamic Republic, and Sharia Law en masse," adding praise for their "bravery." Critics argued this conflates political dissent with religion, oversimplifying a complex movement and alienating devout Iranians opposing the government.

Accusations of double standards

Rowling faced further backlash over her silence on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have died over the past two years. Social media users contrasted her current activism with her previous inaction, accusing her of moral inconsistency.

The debate has gone viral, with some users mimicking her messaging to highlight conflicts elsewhere, including Gaza. Independent monitors report at least 500 deaths and thousands of detentions in Iran since the latest protests began.

Rowling has not directly addressed the criticism.