In a sign of heightened tensions and sensitivity on social media over the Israel-Hamas conflict, Alicia Keys explained why she deleted an Instagram post on Monday that discussed paragliding.
Earlier on Monday, Keys posted a picture of himself in a green leather jacket with the caption: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid of anything??? “Tell me your truth…”
She then added: “I’ve got my eye on paragliding… 👀👀”
Almost immediately, some users on Instagram criticized Keys for his insensitivity. Many said the word “paragliders” was triggering because they were used by Hamas terrorists during the infiltration of Israel in the October 7 attack. Some Instagram users even went so far as to suggest that Keys wore green out of sympathy for Hamas.
Keys deleted the post and posted a short statement to her Instagram Stories late Monday. “The post I shared had COMPLETELY nothing to do with the recent devastating loss of innocent lives. My heart broke… I pray for peace and stand up for it.”
Keys and her husband, music producer Swizz Beats, live in San Diego’s La Jolla neighborhood, a popular area for paragliding. The La Jolla area is also less than 15 minutes drive from Torrey Pines Gliderport. Keys also spoke about paragliding using the area around her home and how she wanted to try it out during an appearance on The Breakfast Club in December 2021.
In 2013, the Grammy winner was also heavily criticized for performing in Israel. In response to an open letter from The Color Purple author Alice Walker asking Keys not to perform in Tel Aviv, the singer told The New York Times: “I’m looking forward to my first visit to Israel.” Music is a universal language meant to unite audiences in peace and love, and that is the spirit of our show.”
Israeli-American talent manager Guy Oseary, who previously managed Keys while she was at his company Maverick, defended the singer on Instagram. “There is talk of an anti-Semitic post that my dear friend Alicia Keys posted on her Instagram,” Oseary wrote. “I can confirm to anyone in my ✡️ community who needs to hear it: 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,” Oseary continued. “I spoke to Alicia and she was horrified when she learned what the word meant and picked it up straight away.”
He added: “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.”