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Madonna Promotes Farrakhan on Instagram, Proclaims 'Free Palestine'

In the past few weeks, several celebrities have faced a backlash for sharing statements from Louis Farrakhan; but one star seems to have escaped notice: Madonna.

On July 4, Madonna posted a video to her Instagram account that was a trailer for a speech by Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader who has spouted anti-Semitic rhetoric over the years, that same day. It has since racked up 710,000 views. Madonna has more than 15 million Instagram followers.

During his three-hour July 4th speech, Farrakhan, 87, repeated a criticism of Jews, who he said had supplanted the Torah with the Talmud. “They made that word in their minds and in their believers’ minds greater than God’s word,” he said.

In addition, he said, “They tell lies to make you think I am a bigot or antisemite, so that you won’t listen to what I’m saying. So far they’ve been pretty successful."

Farakhan added that he harbored no ill will toward Jews. “If you really think I hate the Jewish people, you don’t know me at all,” he said. “[I’ve never] uttered the words of death to the Jewish people.” 

Several other celebrities have defended or praised Farrakhan and echoed his antisemitic rhetoric over the past several weeks. They include NFL player DeSean Jackson, former NBA player turned talking head Stephen Jackson, TV star Nick Cannon, comedian Chelsea Handler and rapper and actor Ice Cube. All but Ice Cube apologized.