Activist Group Calls for Sephora to Drop Huda Beauty Products
Activist organization Stopantisemitism is demanding that Sephora discontinue selling Huda Beauty products. This follows controversial remarks made by founder Huda Kattan in a TikTok video, where she made claims linking Israel to major historical events, including both World Wars and the September 11 attacks.
Interestingly, World War I ended in 1918 and World War II in 1945—long before the modern state of Israel was established in 1948. In a letter shared with Fox News Digital, Liora Rez, the founder of Stopantisemitism, expressed that Sephora needs to uphold its values by removing Huda’s products.
“If Sephora truly aims to provide a safe, inclusive environment for all, it should act quickly to remove Huda Beauty products,” the letter asserted.
International Reactions to Kattan’s Statements
In a serious concern, Israeli hostage brothers have urged the United Nations to intervene, sharing videos that reportedly show Hamas torturing prisoners. Kattan’s history of spreading anti-Semitic narratives, including claims about organ harvesting, has raised alarms among various communities.
“Huda Kattan has emerged as a figure who incites discord rather than unity. Her influence is troubling,” Rez emphasized. According to her, if Sephora doesn’t cut ties with Huda Beauty, she plans to halt her shopping there and inform others about the situation.
TikTok has reportedly removed Kattan’s video for violating community guidelines, which prohibit false information that could cause harm.
Tamar Major, the US national director at Yad Vashem, stated that Kattan’s claims are not just incorrect but reminiscent of dangerous historical rhetoric. “It’s not merely offensive; it lacks historical understanding and could lead to further harm,” Major commented.
Hamas’s charter from 1988 condemns Jewish people and recognizes their condemnation in events from World War I. The terror group was involved in a devastating attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in many casualties. Kattan, a former finance expert, started Huda Beauty in 2013, which became a massive success with an estimated valuation of $1.2 billion by 2017.
Meanwhile, Kattan has been accused of making outrageous claims about Israel’s actions, leading to backlash from Jewish organizations. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, criticized Kattan’s comments, stating that their spread endangers many.
Retailers Face Pressure to Take a Stand
Ari Hoffnung from Jlens, a Jewish value-driven investment network, emphasized the responsibility of retailers in the current climate. “They have a choice: they can support brands rooted in hatred or stand firmly against anti-Semitism,” he remarked.
As of now, neither Sephora nor Huda Kattan has provided comments on the matter. The situation highlights the complex interplay between commerce, social issues, and the influence of public figures.
