A Hollywood agent for many of the entertainment industry’s top stars made an anti-Israel remark on social media and now she is apologizing for it. She labeled the response to the Hamas acts of war in Israel as genocide.

Maha Dakhil has an impressive roster of clients which includes Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Olivia Wilde. Now that she has shown the world who she is, how many clients will stay with her? Dakhil reposted a statement on her Instagram account from an account called Free Palestine on Wednesday night. It addressed Israel’s response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

The post read, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide,” to which Dakhil added her own caption: “That’s the line for me.” She then posted a second photo captioned, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.”

That is a common trope that comes from anti-Israel critics. They accuse Israel of genocide against its enemies. That’s right – the survivors of the Holocaust and their families are accused of committing genocide whenever Israel defends herself. It is unconscionable but it regularly happens. It is happening again now. Hamas began a war against Israel and Israel has promised to finish it so now Israel is being accused of genocide against Hamas and war crimes, too. This is the mindset of the anti-Semitic left.

The reposts on Dakhil’s Instagram account and her response have since been deleted. As soon as she began getting blowback, she retreated. Her posts were shared widely within the industry.

She issued an apology when she saw how this was playing out for her.

“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language. Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak. I pride myself on being on the side of humanity and peace,” Dakhil told Variety in a statement. “I’m so grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who pointed out the implications and further educated me. I immediately took the repost down. I’m sorry for the pain I have caused.”

Then she published a third post.

“Choice of words is important,” she wrote. “Dialogue is healing. As each excruciating day passes, I’m listening and learning more from my friends. Thank you. I’m holding all our families in my prayers…I am grieving for everyone who is suffering right now. I continue to mourn all innocent lives. My mission is peace.”

She works for CAA, a mega talent agency that has come out in support of Israel. Employees of CAA and others in the entertainment industry expressed sadness and offense over her anti-Semitic posts. Some were shocked that a person with such a high profile would weigh in on such an issue in a public way. She is known as a social justice advocate, though, so I don’t understand the surprise that she weighed in. She has weighed in on other big issues like the #TimesUp campaign and the #MeToo movement, besides issues like diversity and equity.

Some are not speaking out about the posts out of a “fear of retaliation.” People familiar with the agency said she removed the posts herself. No one has come forth with a formal complaint. Internal messages have been sent out that addressed “safe space dialogues.”

One media company executive said the posts reflect “a conflicted culture at CAA, which is trying to navigate a conflicted world.” That is what so many people are finding hard to understand. For most people, though, there is no conflict about who to support. Israel is a lone democracy in a very dangerous neighborhood. Hamas is a terror organization that has been labeled as such for decades. This is a moment of clarity. Are you with a state sponsor of terrorism with the mission of wiping Israel and Jews off the face of the earth or do you stand up for Israel and her right to defend herself?

I ponder how many of her clients will turn the other cheek and remain with her. Natalie Portman, for example, is a dual citizen of Israel and the United States. She was born in Jerusalem. She frequently criticizes the Israeli government over issues but she strongly came out in support for Israel after Hamas began the war on October 7. Will she remain a client of Dakhil now?

CAA is clear in its support for Israel and the Jewish community.

The agency issued a statement of support of Israel two days after the Hamas attack, saying it “stands with the people of Israel, the Jewish community, and all innocent victims in the face of horrific acts of terrorism. For those with family, friends, or loved ones living in or connected to Israel and the region, our thoughts are with you. We wish for peace for all people.”

The Israel-Hamas war has exposed the depth of anti-Semitism on the left and it is shocking. Progressive Jews are joining in with pro-Hamas supporters in demonstrations throughout the country. Accusing Israel of genocide and war crimes because it now has to destroy Hamas in self-preservation is wrong-headed. This is the time to make a choice between good and evil. There is no room for half measures used in the past. Hamas started this war. Israel has to finish it.

If someone is looking to accuse others of genocide, begin with Hamas and its pro-Gaza supporters. The demonstrators who chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” are the genocidal maniacs. It is a call to erase Israel from the Middle East and destroy the Jews. That is the mission of Iran, the sponsor of Hamas, and pro-Hamas Gazans.