Dua Lipa has slammed The New York Times after it ran an advert that called her support of Palestine anti-Semitic.
The British pop star, 25, along with supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, were pictured in a full-page advert from The World Values Network, which claimed the trio "vilified the Jewish State".
Written by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the ad, which appeared in Saturday’s newspaper, called the stars “mega-influencers” and claimed they had “accused Israel of ethnic cleansing”.
Lipa, who is in a relationship with the younger brother of Gigi and Bella, Anwar Hadid, has hit back, saying the ad "shamelessly" used her name to "advance their ugly campaign with falsehoods and blatant misrepresentations".
Posted to her Instagram Stories, she wrote: "I utterly reject the appalling allegations that were published today in the New York Times advertisement taken out by The World Values Network.
“This is the price you pay for defending Palestinian human rights against an Israeli government whose actions in Palestine, both Human Rights Watch and the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, accuse of persecution and discrimination.
“I take this stance because I believe that everybody – Jews, Muslims and Christians – have the right to live in peace as equal citizens of a state they choose.
“The World Values Network are shamelessly using my name to advance their ugly campaign with falsehoods and misrepresentation of who I am and what I stand for. I stand in solidarity with all oppressed people and reject all forms of racism."
The Hadid family, who have Palestinian heritage, have been outspoken in their support for Palestine in recent weeks, with Bella attending a pro-Palestine rally in New York City on May 15.
Gigi has also been using her platform to speak out.
Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "One cannot advocate for racial equality, LGBT and women’s rights, condemn corrupt and abusive regimes and other injustices yet choose to ignore the Palestinian oppression. It does not add up. You cannot pick and choose whose human rights matter more.”
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
