CNN –
Alicia Keys has responded to backlash over a recent social media post that some deemed insensitive given the war between Israel and Hamas.
In a now-deleted post, the singer and former coach on “The Voice” shared a photo of herself in a green jacket and wrote in the caption, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid of anything???”
“Tell me your truth… I have my eye on paragliding,” she wrote with side-eye emojis and the hashtag “Monday Energy.”
Keys was criticized for using the word “paragliding” because Hamas terrorists used paragliders in their Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Some also tried to tie them up in green – the color of the Hamas flag – as a sign of support for the organization.
“The post I shared had COMPLETELY nothing to do with the recent devastating loss of innocent lives,” Keys wrote on her Instagram Stories later Monday. “My heart broke…. I pray for peace and stand up for it.”
Guy Oseary, an Israeli-American, is Keys’ former manager and took to the Instagram account to defend her.
“There’s talk of an anti-Semitic post that my dear friend Alicia Keys posted on her Instagram,” he wrote in the caption of a photo of him and Keys hugging. “I can confirm that to everyone in my life [Star of David emoji used to represent the Jewish community] Community that needs to hear: It is NOT true.”
“There was a particular word in her post that our community finds very triggering during this very painful time, but it had absolutely no connection to it,” he added. “I spoke to Alicia and she was horrified when she learned what the word meant and picked it up straight away. Alicia has always been a fighter for all human rights. I have had a front row seat to their positive impact on the world for over a decade. Her humanitarian work reflects her compassion and heart.”
Keys previously mentioned his interest in paragliding in an interview with the popular radio show “The Breakfast Club” in 2021.
CNN has reached out to Keys’ representatives for further comment.