Well, he’s sorry.
Mohamed Hadid, the father of supermodels Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid, released a statement hours after The Post exposed his hateful messages to Congressman Richie Torres over the Bronx councilman’s support for Israel. Later, on Saturday night, he issued a half-hearted apology.
The Palestinian-born politician said he “needs to apologize” for his language toward Torres (which was widely condemned as racist), but still called the congressman “used by Israel. He described it as “a check that’s worth it.”
“I used the wrong words to express this anger, but the anger is understandable,” he said in a message posted on social media.
Mr. Torres defeated his attempt at an apology.
“The so-called apology is as fraudulent as the person himself. Mr. Hadid has been exposed as a fanatical racist to the core, and his pathetic attempt to commit a ‘despicable crime’ “No one is being fooled,” he told the Post.
For months, the real estate mogul had accused Torres of bigoted and homophobic messages via Instagram direct messages, accusing African-American and Latino Poles of being “slaves of the white man.”
“You guys are worse than rats in New York’s sewage system. They have bigger brains than you. You might get a job as a bouncer at a gay bar,” Hadid, 75, wrote in a scathing letter. .
“Make sure to dress like the KKK to hide that ugly gray face,” the developer added. “I know about the Bronx.”
The 36-year-old progressive Democrat apparently became a target of Hadid after the latter’s outspoken defense of Israel after the October 7 Hamas massacre.
Hours after the Post article was published, Hadid issued a serious rebuke.
“I must apologize, not for the anger I feel, but for the words I used to express that anger. I meant to express how Mr. Torres is being exploited by Israel. ” he wrote. “A state that not only abuses black and brown people, but pinkwashes their atrocities, using their projected gay rights as a shield for human rights abuses.
“After living as a refugee for 76 years from the country where I and my ancestors were born and witnessing the unfolding of genocide, my emotions are at an all-time high,” he continued. “I see American politicians acting as AIPAC.” [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] Messenger of genocide. He used the wrong words to express this anger, but the anger is justified. ”
Mr. Hadid, the luxury goods developer, said he “regrets turning the conversation towards this.” And that’s even just one minute away from Palestine. ”
