Global fashion brand Saint Laurent (YSL) has ignited a firestorm of controversy by selecting Palestinian rapper Marwan Abdelhamid, known by his stage name Saint Levant. Abdelhamid, known for his antisemitic statements, as the face of its latest restaurant campaign, prompting calls for a boycott from Jewish organizations and customers worldwide.

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The campaign, which debuted Monday evening, promotes "Saint Laurent Sushi Park" – the brand's new Japanese dining venture in Paris, developed in partnership with Chef Peter Park.

Abdelhamid (24) has recently ascended to prominence in the global music scene while simultaneously becoming a source of controversy due to his antisemitic rhetoric. This past November, he incited outrage during a performance in Amsterdam by publicly endorsing attacks against Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, declaring, "This isn't the first time they (the Jews) come to a country that isn't theirs and start shit."

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 Born in east Jerusalem to parents of diverse heritage (Algerian, French, Palestinian, and Serbian), Abdelhamid spent his formative years in Gaza and received his education at an American school.

Currently, he splits his residence between Amman and Los Angeles, utilizing his platform to convey political messages. His stage name, which creates wordplay between "Saint Levant" and "Saint Laurent," may explain the rationale behind his selection for the current campaign.

The decision to choose Levant has elicited forceful responses from Jewish organizations including StopAntisemitism and SDS, which have initiated calls for a brand boycott. Across social media platforms, numerous followers are inundating the brand's pages with expressions of outrage, incorporating hostage symbols and Israeli flags.

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"You're going to lose many customers," wrote one follower on the brand's Instagram page, while another contributed: "I'm selling all your bags, even though they're now worthless."

Critics highlight a pattern of contentious choices by Saint Laurent, including their previous selection of Dua Lipa, who is known for her criticism of Israel, as the face of their Libre perfume campaign.

For Abdelhamid, who recently took the stage at Coachella festival and sat for an interview with Vogue magazine, this isn't his inaugural fashion industry collaboration – two years ago, he fulfilled the role of Dior's ambassador to the Arab world. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, he stated: "Everything I do is focused on Israel and based on the Palestinian struggle."

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Israeli intelligence officials have identified Dutch organizations with Hamas ties as primary instigators of last week's disturbances in Amsterdam, according to a report released Wednesday by Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

The report details how several local organizations allegedly utilized social media platforms to heighten tensions and orchestrate attacks against Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans following their match against a Dutch team. Evidence includes screenshots from that evening showing explicit calls for violence and coordinated sharing of locations and tactical information.

The report identifies the Palestinian Community in the Netherlands (PGNL) as the primary organization behind the violent incidents, claiming it maintains direct connections to Hamas. The document provides detailed evidence of these connections, including specific individuals reportedly serving as intermediaries.

Additional organizations and individuals involved in escalating tensions were allegedly linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terror organization that maintains significant support and presence across Europe. In a related development, Geert Wilders, leader of the largest party in the Dutch Parliament, demanded the resignation of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema over her handling of the violent incidents. "Her incompetence is unprecedented," Wilders stated.

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The recent brutal attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam has not dampened the spirit of French Jews, with a contingent of approximately 300 Jewish supporters and Israel allies announcing their attendance at Israel's upcoming match against France at the Stade de France this Thursday.

"We refuse to allow extremists and Islamists to determine our ability to enjoy sporting events. They will not dictate how we live our lives," declared Mélanie Pauli Geysse, a French Zionist based in Paris.

Video: Footage of the Amsterdam attack

Pauli Geysse leads "No Silence," a feminist collective founded in the aftermath of Oct. 7 to advocate for women who were sexually assaulted by Hamas terrorists. For her, this initiative naturally extends from her recent Olympic activities in Paris, where she organized WhatsApp groups and mobilized French Jews and Israel supporters to attend sporting venues, countering the prevalent hostility toward Israeli athletes.

"We've grown resilient to the hostile atmosphere since the Olympics, where we rallied hundreds of supporters carrying Israeli flags to cheer for our athletes who brought immense pride to the Jewish people. We'll maintain that same presence here, hundreds strong, waving Israeli flags and supporting our team," she stated.

According to Pauli Geysse, the Amsterdam incidents haven't diminished attendance for Thursday's game, though as with the Olympics, she and her fellow organizers are working closely with law enforcement to ensure security measures.

"The events in Holland have actually inspired some to join us, bringing Israeli flags to demonstrate their fearlessness. While some have withdrawn due to safety concerns, we remain committed to showing our presence, embodying the resilient spirit of the Jewish people," she said.

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