Leonardo DiCaprio Faces Backlash for Co-Financing Hotel in Israel
The eco-certified resort, originally announced in 2018 with 180 suites and six-storey buildings, has massively expanded into a 14-floor, 365-room complex with a marina, fine dining, retail space, and a conference center.
While the actor is known for his work as a United Nations Messenger for Peace and a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability, the timing of his involvement has drawn fierce online criticism. Many see the venture as a betrayal of his public persona amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Prominent activist Shaun King took to X to denounce DiCaprio, stating, "While Gaza starves, Leonardo DiCaprio is building a 14‑story luxury hotel in Israel' and accusing him of 'profiting from apartheid during a genocide".
Users on social media also labeled him a hypocrite, pointing out the dissonance between the actor's environmental advocacy and his involvement in a massive development project in a region widely condemned for its actions in Gaza. Some critics used terms like 'greenwashing apartheid' and called his silence on the conflict 'tone-deaf'.
DiCaprio has previously invested in Israeli businesses, including social‑media startup Mobli and cultivated meat company Aleph Farms. Despite mounting criticism, he has yet to issue a public response addressing the controversy.
The growing outcry reflects broader expectations that public figures must align their actions with their publicly stated values—particularly in times of war and humanitarian crises.
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