Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky

It seems that some Katy Perry fans have proven they can turn “Hot N Cold” at the mere posting of a tweet. While some were getting hot under the collar, others were now giving their once-favorite singer the cold shoulder.

Why? Because, as conservative writer, columnist and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin wrote on her blog today, Perry offered a sympathetic response Monday to a fan in Israel who asked her by Twitter to pray for Israel (presumably because it was under a missile attack from Gaza at the time). “I am! My prayers are for you guys tonight, SHALOM!!!…@katyperry #prayforisrael please pray with us.”

While a few Israelis thanked the singer for the gesture, it appears that most responding tweets were of a more accusatory nature. What was Perry doing asking followers to pray for a country that’s “killing Palestinian babies at the moment” and “bombing a caged civilian population?” One person suggested to Perry, “You best be praying that Israel leaves Palestine ALONE.” And those were the more tame examples of the group of tweets reprinted by Malkin.

Taken aback by the strong negative response to what she thought was an innocent tweet in support of a fan, the singer tweeted the following retraction: “a kid asked me to pray for him & I did. I don’t support ANY side of violence in ANY place for ANY reason #peaceinthemiddleeast #sheneutral !”

Looks like it’s Katy Perry herself who is “Hot N Cold.” The whole episode was weird anyway. As one follower tweeted, “So @katyperry is praying for Israel. Does she look like the kinda girl who prays?”

Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

, editor-in-chief

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT