‘FREE PALESTINE’ FOR THE CAMERA: Influencer Faces Backlash Over Video With Impoverished Children

European social media influencer Dylan Thiry drew intense backlash after filming himself leading a group of impoverished Indonesian children in a chant of “Free, free Palestine” under the guise of helping them obtain water and engaging in humanitarian work.

The Luxembourg native who starred in French reality TV before becoming a social media influencer drew criticism for exploiting vulnerable children for his social media content, which critics call “poverty tourism.”

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During a visit to a rural community in Indonesia, Thiry led a group of children on a walk over a long distance to obtain water. While on the walk, he led the kids in a chant of “Free Palestine” and “Free Sudan.” Critics accused him of using the children as props for ratings and clicks while pretending to do humanitarian work.

Thiry is no stranger to controversy. He is facing trial in France for misappropriating about €250,000 in funds that were collected to serve underprivileged children in Madagascar. French investigators alleged that he used the money to fund his lavish lifestyle in Dubai, where he rented a luxury apartment and bought two Mercedes vehicles.

In 2023, Thiry was investigated for facilitating the illegal adoption of children from Madagascar.

Thiry has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and faces trial later this year.