A powerful agent for A-list celebrity clients including Tom Cruise and Madonna is under fire at her company, Creative Artists Agency, and in the wider Hollywood community for controversial Instagram posts about Israel.
On Wednesday night, CAA’s star whisperer Maha Dakhil reposted a statement from an account called Free Palestine, which commented on Israel’s response to the 7 October terror attack carried out by the Islamic extremist group Hamas. The post read, “You’re about to learn who supports genocide,” to which Dakhil added her own caption: “This is the line for me.” She then posted a second photo with the caption: “What is more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.” She later deleted both posts from her account.
Dakhil’s posts have been widely shared in the industry, and Variety has confirmed their authenticity.
“I made a mistake with a repost on my Instagram story that used hurtful language. Like so many of us, I am reeling from heartbreak. I am proud to stand on the side of humanity and peace,” Dakhil said in a statement to Variety. “I am so grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who pointed out the implications and educated me. I immediately took down the post. I’m sorry for any pain I may have caused.”
Some CAA staff and dozens of industry colleagues were offended and saddened by the posts, which they felt were anti-Semitic. Others were shocked that a prominent dealmaker would publicly wade into such a painful and inflammatory issue. Dakhil often uses her social platforms to advocate for causes, including #TimesUp and diversity and equality initiatives.
Dakhil shared a third post on Wednesday evening, addressing the previous two.
“Choice of words matters,” she wrote. “Dialogue is healing. As each agonising day passes, I’m listening and learning more from my friends. Thank you. I hold all of our families in my prayers… I grieve for everyone who’s suffering right now. I continue to grieve for all innocent lives. My mission is peace.
Others within CAA and third parties who work with the agency have not spoken out about the posts for “fear of retribution,” according to a senior content executive who spoke to Variety anonymously for that very reason. A colleague also wondered how Dakhil’s outspokenness might affect her relationships with clients who have expressed support for Israel.
Others familiar with the agency said Dakhil had removed the posts herself and that no employee had filed an official complaint. The agency has sent out numerous internal messages about the events in Israel, another person with knowledge of the company said, and has held “safe space dialogues”.
One C-suite executive at a media company said the posts reflected “a conflicted culture at CAA trying to navigate a conflicted world”.
The agency issued a statement of support for 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.
