Hadid.

LOS ANGELES — Gigi Hadid is proud to be
half-Palestinian.

The 20-year-old model declared as
much on social media after bonding with friends during a henna night.

“Had the best night with
some of my oldest friends last night,” she captioned a photo of the group’s
henna-tattooed hands. “Feel so blessed to have a foundation of friendships
that will bond us for the rest of our lives. The way we can all sit around and
talk like the clock’s been turned back 10 years is the most beautiful and
grounding feeling.”

“It’s so important to be
with the families that raised you and the friends that were raised with
yours,” she added. “So much love in my heart this holiday season
!!!!! (& before you go all ‘cultural appropriation’ in my comments, check
out the last name. Hadid. Half Palestinian & proud of it).”

Palestinian culture is one of
many to incorporate henna into traditions, including a henna night for brides
prior to their wedding. Typical “tattoos” use a dye prepared from the
henna plant, and can last for several days.

Hadid is the elder daughter of
Palestinian real estate developer Mohamed Hadid and Dutch-born reality star Yolanda Foster. Her
younger sister, Bella Hadid, is also a model and girlfriend of R&B singer
The Weeknd.

However, Hadid’s message didn’t fly over with some spectators. Many critics pointed to the Free Palestine movement, which advocates for Palestinian rights, saying that Hadid hasn’t spoken out about Palestine in the past.

“If you’re so ‘proud’ of being Palestinian, then why don’t you prove it and take action by donating to Gaza?” one commenter wrote. While many users make valid points — someone who adopts trends or looks from a certain culture should be respectful of their origins — the outrage seems a bit misguided. Does painting henna on her hands demand that Hadid weigh in on the Israel-Palestine conflict? Or can she simply embrace a tradition that runs through her family, and share a picture of it with her followers?