Maha Dakhil, a high-profile Hollywood agent, has chosen to step down from her leadership duties at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) following her contentious social media comments about Israel-Hamas. It was confirmed by CAA on Sunday that Dakhil has left her position on the agency’s internal board and has temporarily disassociated from her role as the motion picture department’s co-head.
Despite withdrawing from these roles, Dakhil will continue to work with her roster of clients at CAA, a list that boasts major stars such as Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, Ava DuVernay, and Anne Hathaway, to name a few.
Dakhil’s decision came after she shared an Instagram Story that partially read, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide”. Alongside this, she added her own comment, “That’s the line for me.” She followed this up with another image, captioned, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Observing the denial that slaughter is happening.”
After removing the posts, Dakhil apologized for her choice of words on social media. “I did a fault with my Instagram story repost, which contained offensive language. Like many people, I have been struggling with heartbreak. I consider myself a champion of humanity and peace,” Dakhil stated to Variety. “I’m thankful to my Jewish friends and colleagues who called out the damaging implications of my post and provided further insights. I immediately deleted the repost and I sincerely apologize for the distress I have caused.”
In a subsequent Instagram post, Dakhil sought to further articulate her stance. “Words matter. Dialogue promotes healing. As each painful day passes, I am learning from my friends. Thanks for your understanding,” she said. “I am requesting for everyone…I am grieving for those who are suffering at this time. I continue to mourn for all innocent lives. Peace is my ultimate aim.”
In the meanwhile, CAA publicized its own stance on the Israel-Hamas situation via an Instagram post on October 10th. “CAA stands in unity with the people of Israel, the Jewish public, and all innocent victims of terrible acts of terror,” the talent agency professed. “Our thoughts are with those who have family, friends, or loved ones in or connected to Israel and the region. We hope for peace for all. We invite others to join us in supporting the humanitarian organizations mentioned below that are working tirelessly to provide aid and relief.”
Maha Dakhil, CAA Agent, Apologizes Amid Social Media Backlash over Israel-Hamas Posts
Maha Dakhil, a renowned Hollywood agent, recently found herself surrounded by controversy following an Instagram post she made on October 18, 2023. She uploaded a post concerning the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, but swiftly removed it due to the backlash she received.
The controversy ensued after Dakhil reposted a post from an Instagram account titled Free Palestine. The original post had critically commented on Israel’s reaction to the Hamas attacks. Online users, leading to her issuing a formal apology through Variety, met Dakhil’s resharing of the post, in which she expressed her heartbreak over the denial of genocide, with considerable criticism.
In her statement, she admitted to mistakenly reposting content that used inappropriate language and expressed gratitude to her Jewish friends and colleagues who helped her understand the implications of her actions. She clarified that she had promptly removed the post after acknowledging the public reaction and extended another apology for any hurt caused.
Extended Background on Maha Dakhil’s Career at CAA Creative Artists Agency
Dakhil’s LinkedIn profile reveals that she is a talent agent at the CAA Creative Artists Agency, where she also co-leads the Motion Picture Group and the International Film Group, another division of the agency.
Her education includes a degree in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, as reported by Leaders Magazine. Throughout her career, Dakhil has represented numerous actors and actors. Her professional journey began at Genesis, a literary agency.
Dakhil is also known for being a founding member of Time’s up, an initiative striving to eliminate workplace inequality and injustice.
In a conversation with Leaders Magazine, Dakhil conveyed her admiration for her team in the CAA Motion Picture Group. She described her colleagues as incredibly talented individuals with a shared passion and creativity that she finds motivating. She emphasized the team’s mission to provide a fulfilling creative experience for artists while also ensuring the financial value of their work, expressing the team’s focus on fostering a similar entrepreneurial spirit in future film agents.
