Pharrell may have thought he was doing something good when he spoke and performed at a fundraising event for the Israeli Defense Force. But those who are Pro-Palestinian didn’t see it that way, and they let the singer know about it.
Reportedly, the event took place after the Pittsburgh shooting, where 11 Jewish worshipers were killed inside a synagogue. The event raised $60 million.
“What happened in that synagogue was incredibly cruel, it was wrong and it’s not supposed to be what our nation is,” said Pharrell at the gala. “This group of people have been tested over and over and over again … But you guys show an incredible resilience.”
He also spoke on the battle for land between Israelis and Palestinians and called for peace between the groups.
“I don’t know how popular this is, but there just shouldn’t be fighting,” said Pharrell in front of celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Fran Drescher and Ziggy Marley. He then performed his song “Happy.”
“Abraham was the father of many nations, not just one. There should not be brother against brother. I just want to say that,” the singer relayed.
After word spread that Pharrell attended the IDF event, a lot of folks blasted him on Twitter. Some also brought up that 15 Palestinians were killed in a recent battle on the Gaza Strip, as well the longtime Israeli occupation of Palestine.
One person called the veteran producer a hypocrite as well, since he recently sent a cease and desist letter to Donald Trump for playing “Happy” at his rallies.
“Dear @Pharrell, you contributed in raising $60 million to a nasty army that has killed hundreds of thousands of my people,” someone tweeted. “Is this the change you want in the world? You’re a partner in crime.”
“Here’s a double standard for you,” wrote another. “@Pharrell sings ‘Happy’ at Friends of the IDF Gala supporting army maintaining brutal occupation and violating basic rights of Palestinians but dislikes ‘Happy’ being played at Trump rallies.”
Pharrell hasn’t responded to the backlash yet.
