CAA agent Maha Dakhil has resigned from the agency’s internal board after making controversial comments on social media regarding Israel. She is also is stepping away from her leadership duties as co-head of the motion pictures department, Variety has confirmed.
Dakhil, who represents A-list talent such as Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Madonna, will continue to work with her clients and CAA colleagues while spending time in her personal education process on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
On Wednesday, Dakhil reposted a statement from an account labeled Free Palestine, which weighed in on Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 terror attack executed by Hamas. The post read, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide,” to which Dakhil added her own caption: “That’s the line for me.” She then posted a second photo captioned, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.” She later deleted both posts from her account.
“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language. Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak. I pride myself on being on the side of humanity and peace,” Dakhil told Variety in a statement. “I’m so grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who pointed out the implications and further educated me. I immediately took the repost down. I’m sorry for the pain I have caused.”
CAA issued a statement of support for Israel two days after the Hamas attack, saying it “stands with the people of Israel, the Jewish community, and all innocent victims in the face of horrific acts of terrorism. For those with family, friends, or loved ones living in or connected to Israel and the region, our thoughts are with you. We wish for peace for all people.”