Alicia Keys deletes and clarifies an umbrella post that sparked criticism

CNN
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Alicia Keys has responded to backlash over her social media post that some viewed as insensitive in light of the war between Israel and Hamas.

In a since-deleted post, the singer and former “The Voice” coach shared a photo of herself wearing a green jacket and wrote in the caption: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid of anything???”

“Tell me your truth… I’ve been focusing on paragliding,” she wrote, using the “side eye” emoji and the “Monday Energy” hashtag.

Keyes was criticized for using the word “paragliding” given that Hamas terrorists used paragliders in their October 7 attack on Israel.

Some also tried to link her wearing green – the color of the Hamas flag – as a sign of support for the organization.

“The post I shared has absolutely nothing to do with the recent devastating loss of innocent lives,” Keys later wrote on her page. Instagram Stories Monday. “My heart is broken….I pray for peace and defend it.”

Jay Oseary, an Israeli-American, is the former manager of Keys and She took to her Instagram account to defend her.

“There is talk of an anti-Semitic post that my dear friend Alicia Keys posted on her Instagram account,” he wrote in a comment on a photo of himself hugging Keys. “I can assure anyone in my country [Star of David emoji used to represent the Jewish community] The community needs to hear it: This is not true.

He added: “There was a specific word in her post that our community in this very painful time finds very triggering, but it was not related at all in any way.” “I spoke to Alicia and she was horrified to learn what the word meant and immediately removed it. Alicia has always been a fighter for all human rights. I have sat on the front row for over a decade seeing her positive impact on the world. Her humanitarian work reflects her compassion and heart “.

Keys previously stated that she had an interest in paragliding in a Interview 2021 With the famous radio show “The Breakfast Club”.

CNN has reached out to Keys’ representatives for additional comment.