This week, Gigi Hadid has been talking about her favourite food, and it's a popular choice, likely shared by many in the region.
The part-Palestinian model said on Twitter that kibbeh with labneh and tabbouleh is a go-to of hers. She also added that she loves eggs with zaatar for breakfast. The conversation was part of a #askGigi Q&A.
Kibbeh w labneh and tabbouleh ❤️❤️ or just a simple eggs and zaatar breakfast 🤤🤤🤤 https://t.co/cbiKK7L657
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 17, 2020
The model's father is Jordanian-American real estate developer, Mohamed Hadid, who was born in Nazareth, Palestinian, in 1948. He moved to the US aged 14.
After Hadid, 24, posted about her favourite dishes she seemed to be inundated with comments questioning the origins of her choices, with many telling her that what she was describing was Lebanese cuisine.
"To everyone saying all of these foods are Lebanese only, my dad was born in Palestine in ‘48, where his family lived for many generations before that and ate these foods their entire lives," she said. "Before borders and ownership of land, the region’s dishes and ingredients were always the same".
She added: "I should also add that my family and I support many family owned Lebanese restaurants to enjoy the food we all love".
To every1 saying all of these foods are Lebanese only, ☮️+❤️. My dad was born in Palestine in ‘48, where his family lived for many generations before that & ate these foods their entire lives. B4 borders & ownership of land, the region’s dishes & ingredients were always the same
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 18, 2020
I should also add that my family and I support many family owned Lebanese restaurants to enjoy the food we all love !!!!!
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 18, 2020
When Gigi Hadid is asked about her nationality, she says: "I'm American, but my [mum] is Dutch and my dad is Palestinian."
“@JuuuuneBugggg: @GiGiHadid I love that you are half Palestinian! Embrace it :)” I love it too!! **embracing**
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) June 24, 2013
She has also used her social media platforms to be a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. For me, this is not about religion or one against the other - it’s about the greed. #FreePalestine #freegaza #coexist ☮️
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) May 15, 2018
Not being 'Arab enough' is also something the model has discussed in the past.
"When I shot the cover of Vogue Arabia, I wasn't 'Arab enough' to be representing those girls, even though I'm half-Palestinian," she in November 2018. "I'm as Palestinian as I am Dutch. Just because I have blonde hair, I still carry the value of my ancestors and I appreciate and respect that."
Hadid was on the cover of the first issue of Vogue Arabia in March 2017. Since entering the limelight, she has not made any publicly documented visits to Palestine. However, her brother, Anwar Hadid, 20, has.
In April 2019 he visited the family's homeland, documenting the trip on Instagram. He also shot the music video for Progression 101 in the country.
"My brothers and I touched the mother land today ... much culture and beauty and people that need to be seen and heard," he wrote.
"Hopefully we can show you guys the deep-rooted details that affect our people every day, even the ones who are too young to understand. I feel like this could give us all good perspectives of our own lives, to see what is truly true and real vs what is told to us to be true."
He returned a few months later in December last year, where he posted photos of himself looking out over Ramallah.
The Hadids' father, Mohamed Hadid, has spoken about passing on his Palestinian heritage to his children. Speaking at the Arab Conference at Harvard in 2019, he said: "My parents always embedded in us that we are Palestinians, we’ll always be Palestinians, so my home has always been that virtual home, where my mum, my dad, my kids were learning to roll grape leaves with their grandma."
