Leonardo DiCaprio Faces Backlash for Co-Financing Hotel in Israel

Leonardo DiCaprio is under intense scrutiny after it emerged that he holds a 10% stake in a newly approved 51,000 m² luxury hotel project at Herzliya Marina, just north of Tel Aviv.

The eco-certified resort, originally announced in 2018 with 180 suites and six-storey buildings, has massively expanded into a 14-floor, 365-room complex with a marina, fine dining, retail space, and a conference center.

While the actor is known for his work as a United Nations Messenger for Peace and a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability, the timing of his involvement has drawn fierce online criticism. Many see the venture as a betrayal of his public persona amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Prominent activist Shaun King took to X to denounce DiCaprio, stating, "While Gaza starves, Leonardo DiCaprio is building a 14‑story luxury hotel in Israel” and accusing him of “profiting from apartheid during a genocide".

Users on social media also labeled him a hypocrite, pointing out the dissonance between the actor’s environmental advocacy and his involvement in a massive development project in a region widely condemned for its actions in Gaza. Some critics used terms like “greenwashing apartheid” and called his silence on the conflict “tone-deaf”.

DiCaprio has previously invested in Israeli businesses, including social‑media startup Mobli and cultivated meat company Aleph Farms. Despite mounting criticism, he has yet to issue a public response addressing the controversy.

The growing outcry reflects broader expectations that public figures must align their actions with their publicly stated values—particularly in times of war and humanitarian crises. 

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