Mia Khalifa Is Getting Canceled

Mia Khalifa has lost contracts over social media posts in which she supported Palestinian "freedom fighters," amid the most recent outbreak of violence between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel.

Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Saturday in a move that took the Israeli military and security services by surprise, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently declared: "We are at war."

At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel and more than 400 in Gaza, according to the Associated Press. Since Saturday, Israel has carried out attacks against Hamas, launching "Operation Swords of Iron."

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed organization that the U.S. considers a terrorist group alongside Hamas, on Sunday launched a barrage of mortar shells into Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fired artillery into Lebanon. No casualties were reported on either side, according to Reuters.

Amid news of the conflict, former adult film star Khalifa, who has long been a vocal supporter of Palestinians, shared a post on X, formerly Twitter, in which she addressed the footage that was coming out of the region.

"Can someone please tell the freedom fighters in Palestine to flip their phones and film horizontal," she wrote on the platform on Saturday.

Following days of criticism over her post, Khalifa sought to clarify her comment in a follow-up statement on Monday.

"I just want to make it clear that this statement in no way shape or form is [inciting] spread of violence," she said. "I specifically said freedom fighters because that's what the Palestinian citizens are... fighting for freedom every day."

However, the damage was already done. Playboy has severed ties with the star; visitors to her page on the brand's Centerfold platform are now met with a "not found" notification. Playboy announced the end of its relationship with Khalifa in an email to subscribers, according to the Daily Mail.

"We are writing today to let you know of our decision to terminate Playboy's relationship with Mia Khalifa, including deleting Mia's Playboy channel on our creator platform," read the email, copies of which have been shared on X.

"Over the past few days, Mia has made disgusting and reprehensible comments celebrating Hamas' attacks on Israel and the murder of innocent men, women and children," the statement continued.

"At Playboy, we encourage free expression and constructive political debate, but we have a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. We expect Mia to understand her words and actions have consequences."

Lebanese-born Khalifa's original message on Saturday also lead to her public firing from her role as an adviser at Red Light Holland, which produces and distributes magic mushrooms.

Responding, Red Light Holland CEO Todd Shapiro wrote: "This is such a horrendous tweet @miakhalifa. Consider yourself fired effective immediately. Simply disgusting. Beyond disgusting. Please evolve and become a better human being."

"The fact you are condoning death, rape, beatings and hostage taking is truly gross," Shapiro went on. "No words can explain your ignorance. We need humans to come together, especially in the face of tragedy. I pray for you to become a better person. However, it clearly seems like it's too late for you."

A screenshot of Shapiro's X post was shared on the Red Light Holland account, prompting Khalifa to respond: "I'd say supporting Palestine has lost me business opportunities, but I'm more angry at myself for not checking whether or not I was entering into business with Zionists. My bad."

In a separate post responding to the screenshot, Khalifa said: "I just wanna make sure there's 4k footage of my people breaking down the walls of the open air prison they've been forced out of their homes and into so we have good options for the history books that write about how they freed themselves from apartheid.

"Please worry about your sad little company lacking direction and purpose before you utter my name again. I stand with all people fighting oppression, now and always, do your research before begging for my investment in your little project, I'm from LEBANON, are you insane for expecting me to be on the side of colonialism you f****** weirdo."

Elsewhere, Khalifa recently responded to an X post discussing those who have publicly expressed support for Palestinians.

The X user stated in the post that "a lot of people forget that being pro Palestine is actually like an unpopular stance. We saw what happened to Bella Hadid and how much backlash she got and mind you the girl is Palestinian. So all these celebs supporting all this while upsetting is also just unsurprising."

"If you see a celebrity supporting just TRUSTTTT it's the money that's talking," said Khalifa in response, adding that "these people have no soul or opinions of their own or the ability for critical thinking and will do/say anything to appease their investors in their businesses."

Khalifa has been outspoken in her support for Palestinians in recent years. In 2021, she made headlines for branding Israeli actress and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot "genocide Barbie" following her statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Gadot's post began with her saying that she worries for her family and friends, adding that the conflict is a "vicious cycle" that has gone on for too long.

"Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation, our neighbors deserve the same," she continued. "I pray for the victims and their unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find a solution so we could live side by side in peace. I pray for better days."

The Marvel actor's statement was also criticized by Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it was "neutral as if she was from Switzerland."

Khalifa's political outspokenness marks a turnaround for the star, who told Newsweek in a 2015 interview that she wasn't particularly interested in Lebanese politics. "I don't want us to be bullied by Syria or Israel, but I'm pretty indifferent towards it," she said at the time.

Newsweek has contacted representatives of Khalifa and Playboy for comment.