Leonardo DiCaprio Faces Backlash for $270 million Luxury Israel Hotel Investment Amid Gaza War, Accused of “Profiting From Apartheid”

Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscar-winning actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace, is under intense scrutiny for co-financing a $270 million luxury hotel project near Tel Aviv at a time when Israel’s military actions in Gaza continue to draw widespread international condemnation.

Set to rise along Herzliya Marina, the resort recently received approval from the Tel Aviv District Planning and Building Committee. The eco-certified development will span 51,000 square meters (about 12.6 acres) and feature 14 floors, 365 rooms, a fine dining restaurant, a conference center, retail spaces, a swimming pool, and yacht access. An additional two acres below ground are designated for hotel operations and parking.

Controversial Timing Sparks Backlash

DiCaprio holds a 10 percent stake in the venture, joining hands with The Hagag Group and millionaire developers Ahikam and Lior Cohen. The project, though years in the making, has reignited debate amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Critics argue that the hotel’s timing sends a troubling message. On social media, calls for boycotts have gained traction, with users labeling DiCaprio’s involvement as hypocritical given his long-standing advocacy for environmental and humanitarian causes.

“Boycott him and his movies — and all other companies that support those who kill and starve innocent people,” one user wrote on Instagram.

Activist and author Shaun King echoed the sentiment on X, formerly Twitter: “While Gaza starves, Leonardo DiCaprio is building a 14-story luxury hotel in Israel,” accusing the actor of “profiting from apartheid during a genocide.”

Silence as Criticism Mounts

The actor, who has previously invested in Israeli companies including the social media startup Mobli and the alternative protein firm Aleph Farms, has yet to respond publicly.

While construction has not yet begun, the project’s approval has come under the spotlight as civilian casualties rise and humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen. DiCaprio’s silence has only fueled criticism, with many questioning the ethical implications of his investment.