DiCaprio Israel hotel deal sparks major backlash
Leonardo DiCaprio invests in a luxury eco‑hotel in Israel. Online critics accuse him of hypocrisy amid Gaza crisis. Controversy erupts.
Leonardo DiCaprio Faces Fierce Criticism for Investing in Israeli Hotel
LOS ANGELES / TEL AVIV, Aug 1, 2025
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, long known for his environmental activism, is under intense online criticism after news broke that he holds a 10% stake in a luxury eco‑hotel project in Herzliya Marina, near Tel Aviv, Israel. The investment has drawn fierce backlash due to the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, with critics blasting it as tone‑deaf and hypocritical.
Project Approved Amid Controversy
The Tel Aviv District Planning & Building Committee granted final approval on July 27, 2025 for a 14‑story, 51,000 m² hotel complex with 365 rooms, underground parking, a yacht marina, conference facilities, restaurant, and shopping spaces. DiCaprio’s 10% share is backed by the Israeli Hagag Group and brothers Ahikam and Lior Cohen.
The project was initially announced in 2018 and expanded in scope in recent years. It promises LEED-certified, eco‑friendly design under DiCaprio’s environmental vision.
Outrage from Activists
DiCaprio’s investment has ignited a social media firestorm. Critics accuse him of “greenwashing apartheid” by promoting a luxury project in a country widely condemned for its military actions in Gaza. Commenters called him a “performative activist” and questioned how eco‑development can “ignore the bodies” of Palestinians suffering under occupation.
One user wrote: “Another neoliberal using climate justice as a tool to protect capital.” Another added: “Palestine revealed the truth about these actors who pretend to care”.
Hypocrisy? Silence on Gaza
The controversy centers on the apparent dissonance between DiCaprio’s public image and his latest business move. As a longtime UN Messenger of Peace and climate campaigner, DiCaprio has not publicly addressed this project or responded to the chorus of criticism. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called the situation in Gaza “a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions” .
Critics argue that no matter how eco-conscious the hotel may be, investment in Israeli real estate at this time normalizes occupation and displacement of Palestinians.
Legacy at Risk
This project adds to a growing list of celebrity-linked controversies. DiCaprio's critics note his past ties like appearances in Epstein files and frequent luxury travel, challenging his credibility as an environmental steward. His involvement in this hotel project, they argue, casts doubt on his commitment to justice and equity.
What’s Next
Construction appears set to move forward, with no official timeline published. DiCaprio has remained silent so far. Whether backlash will influence project plans or motivate any public statement is still unclear.
Quick‑Reference Fact Box
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Project location | Herzliya Marina, near Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Completion status | Final approval granted on July 27, 2025 by city planning committee |
| Ownership share | Leonardo DiCaprio: approx. 10%; remainder by Hagag Group and Cohen brothers |
| Hotel size | 365 rooms across two buildings; 14 floors; 51,000 m²; 8,000 m² underground space |
| Design credentials | LEED‑certified; eco‑friendly focus; public marina and retail features |
| Public reaction | Online backlash accusing DiCaprio of hypocrisy, performative activism, greenwashing |
| Political context | Amid a 21‑month long military campaign in Gaza, high civilian casualties, UN warnings |
| DiCaprio’s role | UN Messenger of Peace; global environmental spokesman, but no public comments on this project |
Image credits:
Credit: Globes / Hagag Group (project images)
Credit: Cultura Colectiva (context & reactions)
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