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Jennifer Lawrence slammed for 'insincere' Gaza comments after two years of silence

News Desk

•
Sep 27

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence is facing backlash online after finally addressing the Israeli war on Gaza, calling it "no less than a genocide" during a press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

 

While some praised her for speaking out, many on social media questioned why it took so long for the 35-year-old star to publicly comment on a humanitarian catastrophe that has already claimed over 65,000 lives and left more than 160,000 injured.

 

“I’m terrified and it’s mortifying,” Lawrence said at the event, where she was being honored with the Donostia Award. “What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s unacceptable. I’m terrified for my children, for all of our children.”

 

However, her words were met with skepticism online. Critics accused the actress of "performative activism" and “jumping on the bandwagon” months into a crisis that has sparked worldwide protests, calls for ceasefires, and condemnation from humanitarian groups.

 

“She was doing propaganda for her bff Amy Schumer (in Variety no less) at the start of the genocide,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), referring to Lawrence's defence of Schumer who came under fire for unabashedly siding with Israel. “I guess Jennifer finally got to her preferred number for murdered Palestinians to finally say something. I guess 650k dead was enough for her. She thought 10k wasn’t enough. Evil woman.”

 

 

Another one wrote: “Melissa Barrera spoke up from the beginning, risked her Hollywood career, was fired, nearly blackballed, smeared, all for supporting a Free Palestine. Any other celeb speaking up after TWO years now that it's "safe" and PR-friendly is just a f*cking ghoul and an opportunist.”

 

 

Another wrote: “crazy how so many zionist celebrities are backtracking and acting like they're good people now that the public opinion has shifted against Israel, do they think we're stupid????”

 

 

“I want ONE celebrity just one to be like “I fell for the propaganda and I’m sorry for being so dumb” like be HONEST about why you’re saying what you are now,” one user said.

 

 

While on her video on Instagram, one user commented: “It was unacceptable 2 years ago as well, where where you sweetheart?” and another said: “Wow! Took her only 2 years and 680,000 killed Palestinians to finally speak up.”

 

 

 

At the same press conference, Lawrence also spoke about attacks on free speech in the U.S., tying it to the role of cinema and artistic expression. “Our freedom of speech and expression is under attack… I wish there was something I could say, something I could do to fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation,” she said.

 

 

But for many online, that sentiment rang hollow. “Seems insincere and forced,” one user said.

 

 

“Celebrities waiting until it’s safe to speak, then acting like they’re heartbroken heroes, is part of the problem,” another comment read.

 

While some supporters defended Lawrence, noting that any voice added to the outcry helps amplify awareness. “Can we plz be grateful for anyone speaking up against what is going on right now?? Instead of having ego battles of who spoke first or last. This isn’t about us and none of us owns this story apart from the Palestinian people living it every single day. Any voice is welcome as the goal is to stop this atrocity not winning at being a better human being on social media.”

 

 

Lawrence's film Die, My Love screened at the festival, but the red carpet moment was largely overshadowed by the controversy sparked by her remarks.

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