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Similarly, Rihanna was taken to task earlier this year for a controversial Hindu-inspired fashion choice as well as her “interference” in Indian politics in connection with the farmer-protested new agricultural laws in New Delhi.

I touched on this issue in May of last year in relation to the Black Lives Matter uprisings stateside, but celebrities are often juggling a few options in response to world events—all of which are open for critique in what has been often referred to as a “damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t” conundrum. When it comes to important matters, one can remain silent, take a direct stand, choose neutrality or amplify those who are educated on the matter or intimately familiar with it.

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Beyond the scope of entertainment, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been at the center of an ongoing discussion amongst prominent figures in politics such as Marc Lamont Hill and Rep. Ilhan Omar. Then, of course, there’s the added layer of direct U.S. involvement and interference in this matter.

Here's Why Black People Should Care About Palestine
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Black Support For Palestine / The Root

In a response to Rih’s post, @jennieak tweeted, “Hey @rihanna Palestinians don’t have bomb shelters—we don’t have any protection. There is no shelter. Palestinians in Gaza have nowhere to hide and nowhere to go. Palestinians have no military, no nuclear weapons, we’re not bankrolled by billions of US dollars. Happy to discuss.”

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Other notable celebrities such as Viola Davis have chosen the route of sharing infographics in an effort to make the information palatable to their fans/followers (ideally as a guide to do further research), while Yara Shahidi used her social media space to display ways we can show support for the victims of this massacre, which has been described as genocide or ethnic cleansing. As of Wednesday’s reporting by NBC News, over 70 people have been killed as a result of the airstrikes and rocket fire.

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The Root has reached out to Rihanna’s representatives for comment on the critiques of her Instagram post.