‘Gross betrayal': Indya Moore breaks silence on Hollywood's double standards on Gaza
What are the repercussions of speaking out for Gaza in Hollywood?
In this Real Talk interview, US model and actor Indya Moore opens up about the cost of speaking out for Gaza, describing the 'devastating' fallout with her former agents at CAA over her use of the word 'genocide' and for her support for Palestine.
Indya, who in 2019 was named as one of Time's 100 most influential people, is now highlighting the hypocrisy in how Gaza advocacy is punished and reveals that she herself has lost job opportunities in the entertainment industry because of it.
We also talk about her upcoming satirical documentary 'Stealing Sunset', which confronts illegal Israeli settlements, and the emotional contradictions of filming in the occupied West Bank.
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Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- Middle East Eye
‘Gross betrayal': Indya Moore breaks silence on Hollywood's double standards on Gaza
'I haven't worked in a very long time.' What are the repercussions of speaking out for Gaza in Hollywood? In this Real Talk interview, US model and actor Indya Moore opens up about the cost of speaking out for Gaza, describing the 'devastating' fallout with her former agents at CAA over her use of the word 'genocide' and for her support for Palestine. Indya, who in 2019 was named as one of Time's 100 most influential people, is now highlighting the hypocrisy in how Gaza advocacy is punished and reveals that she herself has lost job opportunities in the entertainment industry because of it. We also talk about her upcoming satirical documentary 'Stealing Sunset', which confronts illegal Israeli settlements, and the emotional contradictions of filming in the occupied West Bank. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form . More about MEE can be found here .
Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Baby Yahya Sinwar: German hospital faces online fury over newborn's name
A maternity ward in Leipzig, eastern Germany, has sparked a firestorm of controversy after posting an Instagram story celebrating a newborn named "Yahya Sinwar", adorned with three heart emojis. The name, identical to the former leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, has ignited a heated online debate, reflecting the deep divisions surrounding Israel's war on Gaza. On 3 August, Leipzig University Hospital published its daily Instagram welcome posts for newborns. Among the names, showcased on a chalkboard, was 'Yahya Sinwar,' written with a heart dotting the 'i', under the word 'Welcome.' The post, intended as a routine celebration of a new birth, quickly gained traction across social media platforms, drawing both condemnation and support. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Yahya Sinwar, the former head of Hamas's political bureau in Gaza who is now deceased, was widely seen as the chief architect of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that left around 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken as captives back to Gaza. Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza in October 2024. For many Palestinians, Sinwar is viewed as a symbol of armed resistance against decades of Israeli occupation. The hospital on Monday issued an apology on Instagram, stating that the staff member who posted the image was unaware of the name's political associations. 'We understand that today's post has evoked negative associations in some people. The staff member who posted the image was unaware that the name is currently associated with a well-known political figure in a highly sensitive geopolitical context.' The hospital emphasised that names are published only with parental consent and announced a review of internal procedures to prevent future oversights. What's in a name? German-Israeli rapper and songwriter Ben Salomo amplified the controversy by sharing a screenshot of the hospital's post on Instagram, condemning the inclusion of Sinwar's name. 'Should it be allowed in Germany to name a child after a terrorist and mass murderer?' he wrote on X, prompting a wave of support from pro-Israel social media users. A person responded, writing, 'You've totally lost it, not all your screws are tight! Honestly, it's none of your damn business what parents name their kids. You wannabe artist'. Others questioned the selective outrage, pointing to a perceived double standard. 'If the child had been named Benjamin Netanyahu, no one would have a problem. Nor with the name Donald,' they said, referring to US President Donald Trump, who has staunchly supported Israel's war while dismissing what leading human rights groups and scholars have described as a genocide taking place in the enclave and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. 'A democracy must endure that,' they added. Many pro-Israelis interpreted the inclusion of the name as a tacit endorsement of violence. One social media user declared: 'Yes, they're glorifying the name of a genocidal terrorist.' Another labelled it 'Absolutely unacceptable,' while others described the hospital's post as 'CELEBRATING TERROR.' Naming a kid Yahya Sinwar in Europe amounts to child abuse, denying the child a fair shot at life by associating him with evil terrorism by name. The parents should be prosecuted. — Colin C. Cortbus (@CCCortbus) August 6, 2025 But others pushed back. On Facebook, some called the backlash for the name "pathetic" and defended the parents' choice and their right to call their baby the name they like. 'So, people cannot name their children because somewhere in the world it hurts the feelings of an inbred zionist?' one person wrote. 'What? It's a baby. Don't be a hater.' another added. Lmao How does a name define a person? Ever use the 'dont judge book' quote. U cry so much about anti semitism when semitism doesnt solely relate to Jewish ppl. U think its ok to insinuate a parents joy should be condemned to pre-conceived suspicion based on yr racist theories? — Badi (@badster01) August 7, 2025 Some pointed out that Yahya is a very common name, with religious significance to it - equivalent to John in English, and Johannes in German. 'By the way: The name 'Yahya' is a melodious name with biblical origins and corresponds to the German 'Johannes' in meaning and tradition.' Am 03.08. um 3:34 Uhr wurde der kleine 'Yahya Sinwar' in der Universitätsklinik Leipzig geboren. Übrigens: Der Name 'Yahya' ist ein klangvoller Name mit biblischem Ursprung und entspricht dem deutschen 'Johannes' in Bedeutung und Tradition. ❤️lichen Glückwunsch an die Eltern‼️ — (@MrWiedman) August 5, 2025 "Afraid of everything—watermelons, children, women, own attorney general, processions, even words like 'river' or 'sea.' Always the victim," another person added on Facebook. The name Yahya is a widely used name across the Arab world. Its popularity has grown in Europe in recent years. According to a 2024 report by the UK's Office for National Statistics, "Yahya" climbed 33 places to rank 93rd among boys' names in England and Wales, with 583 newborns receiving the name. The reason behind why the parents chose this name remains unknown, and the parents have given no official information or made a statement regarding the baby's background or origins.
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt
The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) has pulled out of a planned production run of the opera Turandot in Israel, the company's CEO Alex Beard confirmed in a message to staff. Beard told his employees that "Tosca will not be going to Israel" following weeks of staff dissent over their refusal to perform in Israel and anger at the treatment of a performer who raised the Palestinian flag after a performance. In July, dancer Danni Perry raised the Palestinian flag during an ovation following a performance of Il Trovatore. Perry was challenged by the opera's director, Oliver Mears, who attempted to pull the flag off him. The performer was later reportedly "banned" from participation in future performances. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The incident set off declarations of solidarity with Perry by members of the company, with 182 members of staff joining a call to reject future performances in Israel. Staff, including performers, dancers, musicians and technicians amongst others, signed a letter demanding that RBO "withholds our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians". "In recent months, the world has witnessed the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, homes, and cultural heritage. Tens of thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and essential infrastructure deliberately targeted, in clear violation of international law," the letter said. War on Gaza: Campaigners shut down fundraiser for Israeli soldiers at London theatre Read More » "It is in this climate that our organisation has chosen to actively support the Israeli state and its economy by hiring our production of Turandot to The Israeli Opera." Staff demands in the letter included the cessation of performances in Israel, an acknowledgement by the RBO of genocide in Gaza, solidarity with Perry and disciplinary action against Mears. The world of opera, like others in the performing arts, faces an internal reckoning over its response to Israel's onslaught on Gaza. Many artists refuse to perform in Israel as they consider it tacit endorsement of its atrocities against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
