Sephora reviewing Huda Beauty partnership after founder links Israel to World Wars, 9/11 and October 7 Hamas attacks

Sephora is facing mounting pressure to discontinue its partnership with cosmetics brand Huda Beauty after founder Huda Kattan posted a video alleging that Israel was responsible for major global conflicts and terror attacks. The video, which was deleted by TikTok, included Kattan stating that Israel was behind “World War I, World War II, September 11, October 7.”

“All of the conspiracy theories coming out and a lot of evidence behind them, that Israel has been behind World War I, World War II, September 11, October 7, they allowed all of this stuff to happen. Is this crazy? Like, I had a feeling, I was like, ‘Are they behind every World War?’ Yes. Behind September 11? Absolutely,” Kattan said in the now-deleted post to her 1.7 million followers.

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World War I and World War II ended in 1918 and 1945, respectively, both before the State of Israel was officially established in 1948.

In response, advocacy group StopAntisemitism issued a letter to Sephora urging the retailer to cut ties with Huda Beauty. The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, said: “If Sephora is serious about creating a safe and inclusive space for all communities, it must drop Huda Beauty immediately.” The group’s founder, Liora Rez, added, “Kattan has consistently used her massive platform to incite against Jews.”

Activist groups, Jewish organizations demand Sephora drop brand

StopAntisemitism's letter also accused Kattan of spreading antisemitic tropes, including claims that Jews harvest Palestinian organs and shelter pedophiles. “I am requesting Sephora immediately sever ties with Huda Beauty and stop carrying its products online and in stores,” the letter read. “Until you do so, I will not be shopping in your stores and will be making my friends, family, and community aware of this troubling issue.”

Rez described Kattan as an “unhinged hater” who spreads “bigotry.” TikTok confirmed to Fox News Digital that it removed the video for violating its community guidelines against harmful misinformation.

Tamar Major, the USA National Director for Yad Vashem, called the remarks “factually wrong” and said they echoed rhetoric used by Nazi propagandists. “Hearing that same rhetoric resurface today is not just offensive, it’s historically illiterate and profoundly dangerous,” Major said.

Hamas, which claimed responsibility for the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel that killed nearly 1,200 and resulted in 251 kidnappings, similarly blamed Jews for World War I in its 1988 charter.

Retailers under pressure as public outcry grows over Huda Kattan’s antisemitic remarks

Huda Kattan launched Huda Beauty in 2013. The brand is valued at $1.2 billion as of 2017 and reportedly generates $200 million in annual profits. Sephora has sold Huda Beauty since 2015.

The Anti-Defamation League also condemned Kattan’s remarks. “Spreading vile myths about Jews to millions of followers isn’t just reckless, it’s dangerous,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. JLens founder Ari Hoffnung added, “They can continue to platform a brand whose founder promotes hate-fueled conspiracy theories, or they can take a stand against antisemitism.”

A Sephora spokesperson told Fox News Digital: “We recognize that comments from one of our brand partners have raised concerns and want to be clear: promoting hate, harassment, or misinformation does not align with our values or code of conduct. We take this matter very seriously and can confirm we are actively reviewing this issue internally, including working with the brand.”

Kattan did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.