With South Africa’s demands that Israel cease-fire against Gaza in an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), many have turned their attention on high profile stars who’ve seemingly turned a blind eye. And topping the list is talented DJ Black Coffee.
The muso – who was injured on a flight this week – courted controversy for his trip to the “Apartheid state” in 2018 and several times thereafter.
But he’s not the only celeb to have done so…
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BLACK COFFEE AND OTHERS WHO VISITED ISRAEL
Amid ICJ hearing SA’s application on behalf of Gaza, social media users have reminded the public of many celebs who shunned criticism by visiting Israel.
Former Miss SA Lalela Mswane is one of them after she competed at the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel, in 2021.
Mandla Mandela – the grandson of former SA president Nelson Mandela – criticised Miss SA organisers and other countries who decided to continue their participation in Israel, which he deems an “Apartheid state.”
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Pro-Palestine movements – including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) also strongly condemned her.
In 2016, radio and TV presenter Anele Mdoda trended over her clapback to backlash over a family vacation to Israel.
After being dragged into the comment section of a Facebook post, the media personality responded: “Israel is beautiful. Please do not post your political babble on my page. I am not saying the politics here are pretty. I am saying the land is beautiful. Please respect my page and my opinions.
Like Anele, Black Coffee made headlines when he clapped back at criticism of a performance in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2018.
He infamously tweeted: “Like everyone else, I have rights and free will. And no, Black Coffee is not a political party. I work as an entertainer to feed my family”.
In 2022, NGO Africa4Palestine and political party EFF condemned the muso for a third performance in the country.
In 2023, fans expressed their disappointment in fellow muso Zakes Bantwini, who made a low-key performance at Tel Aviv’s Desert Weekend music festival.
While the singer tagged his location as the “Middle East,” his followers were not easily duped.
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“Embarrassing,” commented one follower. Another asked: “Why would you play gigs in Apartheid Israel?”
A third added: “This is disappointing. Stating Middle East foes not hide the fact that we all know you performed in Israel”.
SHASHI NAIDOO: BANNED FOR 10 YEARS
In 2018 – the same year Black Coffee was dragged for performing in Israel – model and businesswoman Shashi Naidoo made headlines for calling Gaza a “s**thole.”
After receiving death threats over her outspoken views, she publicly apologised.
She also partnered with BDS to visit Israel to “educate herself.” However, the brunette revealed that the country had banned her from visiting for a decade due to the media attention. She has vowed to return once the ban is lifted.
