An activist group is calling for Sephora to drop Huda Beauty cosmetics following its founder’s deleted social media posts containing antisemitic conspiracy theories. The group, StopAntisemitism, has issued a letter to Sephora demanding they cease carrying Huda Beauty products, citing concerns about the company’s values and the potential for antisemitism. Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan made a TikTok post in which she blamed Israel for causing every World War, 9/11, and the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack. The content was later deleted by the platform for violating its community guidelines, which prohibit misinformation that could cause significant harm to individuals or society. StopAntisemitism founder Liora Rez criticized Kattan’s statements, calling them unfounded and dangerous. Rez stated that Sephora must take a stand against antisemitism by immediately discontinuing the sale of Huda Beauty products. This has sparked backlash from Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and Yad Vashem, which have condemned the accusations as historically inaccurate and potentially incendiary. Kattan has also made other controversial statements, accusing the Jewish State of sheltering pedophiles and engaging in organ harvesting from Palestinians. The controversy has led to calls for retailers to distance themselves from Huda Beauty, emphasizing the need to address antisemitism. Sephora and Kattan have not yet responded to the requests for comment.
Experts and activists are raising concerns about the broader implications of these claims. Tamar Major, the USA National Director for Yad Vashem, pointed out that Kattan’s remarks are reminiscent of Nazi rhetoric used to incite violence against Jews. Major stated that the recurrence of such rhetoric is not only offensive but also dangerous. Other Jewish groups have echoed these sentiments, asserting that spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories is a significant threat to public safety and historical understanding. Kattan, a former finance professional, started Huda Beauty in 2013, and the brand has achieved significant commercial success, generating over $200 million in annual profits. Despite its financial success, the controversy has led to demands for Sephora to take a firm stance against antisemitism. The situation is also seen as a reflection of the broader tensions and debates surrounding Israel’s actions and the spread of misinformation on social media platforms. As the debate continues, the impact on Huda Beauty’s brand and its relationship with Sephora remains uncertain.
Huda Kattan’s accusations against Israel have been met with strong rebuttals from various groups. The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas also blamed the Jews for World War I in its 1988 charter, highlighting the historical context of these accusations. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has intensified in recent years, with significant events such as the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas leading to heightened tensions. The controversy around Kattan’s remarks is thus closely tied to the broader geopolitical context, adding another layer to the debate. As discussions about antisemitism and misinformation continue, the role of social media platforms in moderating such content and their responsibilities to users are also being scrutinized. The pressure on Sephora to address these allegations and the response from the brand and its stakeholders will be closely watched in the coming days.