'Big Brother' star under fire for controversial 'Free Palestine' photo

Published: OCTOBER 18, 2023 16:25

Big Brother sensation Kazem Khaliliya, known for his support of Israel, found himself embroiled in an Internet storm after a misleading photo emerged.

A picture of Kazem Khaliliya, the Big Brother star, recently set off a flurry of indignation among his followers. The photo in question depicted Khaliliya embracing an Arab woman while wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words "Free Palestine."

The individual who shared the photo included a caption: "Kazem posted this picture with a woman, claiming she'd been hurt by IDF troops and expressing support for a Palestinian state, all while wearing that t-shirt. Shocked that he was your Big Brother choice. Shame."

Consequently, the Big Brother luminary faced harsh criticism, including being labeled a "terrorist" and urged to "go back to Gaza."

The truth behind the "Free Palestine" controversy

However, there's more to this story than meets the eye.

The original image that Kazem posted a year ago, upon leaving the Big Brother house, showed him in a white shirt without the "Free Palestine" caption.

Pro-Palestine protesters hold a banner, as they demonstrate outside Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/HENRY NICHOLLS)

The woman in the photograph is, in fact, a close friend who also served as the personal assistant to the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and who also succumbed to cancer. The caption under the photo read, "Happy New Year to everyone."

Khaliliya was swift to clarify the situation and even threatened to take legal action against the individual who propagated these falsehoods, remarking, "It's disheartening that, in 2023, in these trying times, there are still people who harbor such racist and divisive sentiments."