Gwyneth Paltrow criticized for Israeli luxury housing ad

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is facing significant public criticism for appearing in a promotional campaign for a luxury residential development in Israel, with activists and social media users condemning the move as insensitive amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The campaign, released on Wednesday, features Paltrow as the face of "51 PARK," a project consisting of two 51-story towers in the coastal city of Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.

The promotional video, filmed in New York City, shows Paltrow preparing for her day in a luxury apartment, going for a run in Central Park, and stating, "There's a reason the world's most iconic buildings are by a park." She concludes by directing a driver to take her to "51 PARK" in Herzliya, Israel. The campaign was commissioned by the Israeli real estate developer Aviv Melisron and created by the Israeli agency Why Worry.

The backlash was swift and intense across social media platforms, with critics labeling the actress "tone-deaf" and accusing her of being "complicit" in actions they associate with Israel's military operations. A central point of contention is the development's location. Critics assert the site was once the Palestinian village of...