Perfume empire Jo Malone cuts ties with founder over Harvard Palestine group affiliation blaming Israel for terrorist attacks: ‘Our stance against violence remains firm’

Perfume giant Jo Malone distanced itself from company founder Jo Malone and his son after it emerged that he was a leader of a pro-Palestinian group at Harvard that blamed Israel for Hamas’ brutal attack on the Jewish state this week.

“This is an extremely difficult time for everyone and please know that we will not tolerate violence of any kind. At this time we would like to clarify that the person Jo Malone has not been associated with the Jo Malone London brand since 2006. We continue to lead with kindness,” the company said in a statement. rack.

On Thursday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Malone’s son, Josh Willcox, is one of three leaders of the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, a group that “holds the Israeli regime fully responsible for all the unfolding violence.”

Malone sold her eponymous brand to cosmetics giant Estee Lauder in 1999. At the time of writing, Malone herself has not condemned the statements made by her son’s group.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Jo said: ‘We as a family are heartbroken by the events of recent days and strongly condemn all forms of violence.

Josh Willcox (left), son of perfume magnate Jo Malone (center) is listed as one of three Harvard students leading the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee. He was also pictured with his father Gary Willcox at a swanky London party in 2017

Both his parents moved to Dubai, where they run the multi-million dollar business. Willcox studies Near Eastern languages ​​and civilizations with history at university

“The horrific attack on innocent people in Israel on Saturday goes beyond what any family should have to endure.”

‘We once again strongly condemn all forms of violence and those that incite it. We have always acted with a heart for people who always want to strive for a peaceful solution to any conflict.

“This is a terrible moment in our history when innocent people pay the ultimate price with their lives. It is extremely heartbreaking and needs to stop.

“As a family, our thoughts go out to all those suffering terrible losses at this time and we send untold gratitude to all those who selflessly risk their lives for others. We call on all leaders to find a humanitarian solution for all,” the statement said.

Willcox’s group’s statement came as dozens of colleges, including the Ivy League, saw student activist groups express support for Hamas’ actions.

The household name said that was the only comment she would make and did not address her son’s direct links to the group’s sickening statement.

In its latest comments, the PSC lamented the lack of support they received from the university, saying the government was “investing in Israeli apartheid.”

“The continued discourse around Harvard diverts attention from the brutal massacre in Gaza, a terrible situation that our joint statement urgently warned about,” the report said.

Willcox is listed as one of three officials in charge of the group in Harvard’s official directory of student organizations

The letter caused a huge backlash after 34 student associations supported the PSC’s statement “holding the Israeli regime fully responsible for all the unfolding violence.”

Sanaa Kahloon, fellow member of Willcox’s Palestine Solidarity Committee, then spoke to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper and confirmed that the group had no regrets about the controversial letter – while even adding insult to injury.

Kahloon said the organization “rejects the allegation” and that the original statement was “in support of civilian deaths.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Kahloon said their mission must be “obvious,” adding that the “PSC firmly opposes violence against civilians – Palestinians, Israelis or any other.”

“The statement aims to contextualize the apartheid and colonial system, while explicitly lamenting in the caption ‘the devastating and rising civilian toll,’” she added in a separate Crimson story.

Willcox is depicted in a Harvard student list photo. He is one of three members of the committee that took responsibility for an outrageous statement on Hamas’s attacks on Israel

“It is unacceptable that Palestinians and groups that support them are always expected to pre-empt their statements by condemning the violence.”

Willcox studies Near Eastern languages ​​and civilizations with history, while his mother told media earlier this year that he specializes in Arabic.

He is a talented fencer who competes for Harvard and is the only son of the cologne and candle magnate and her husband Gary Willcox.

Malone sold her eponymous company to Estee Lauder in 1999 for undisclosed millions and is no longer associated with it.

The serial entrepreneur founded another successful fragrance company in 2011 called JoLoves.

Willcox attended the elite Latymer Upper School in London, where famous alumni include Hugh Grant. The cost for the day school is approximately $30,000 per year.

He spent part of his childhood in New York, where his self-made mother also owned a $9.3 million apartment in a Knightsbridge square – hailed as one of London’s most desirable.

His upbringing is in stark contrast to that of Malone, who grew up in public housing in suburban London, suffered from dyslexia and left school at the age of thirteen to care for her mother after she suffered a stroke.

Willcox’s parents now live in Dubai, where they run their successful JoLoves business.

Willcox published at least three articles on Palestine for the Harvard Crimson in February, writing “To the Editor: When Will You Stop Silencing Palestine?”, along with a third leader of the organization, Shraddha Joshi.

DailyMail.com has contacted Jo Malone, Jo Loves, Willcox and the two other named leaders of the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee for comment.

Students supporting the PSC marched across campus, with many prominent CEOs declaring those involved “unemployed,” and the Anti-Defamation League denouncing the statement as “anti-Semitic.”

Harvard’s statement continuing to support the country was widely condemned after it blamed Israel for attacks that killed at least 1,200 Israelis, including 25 Americans.

It focused heavily on the then-expected Israeli military strike in Gaza, with critics calling the message tasteless and inflammatory.

Willcox’s fellow committee member Kahloon is a sophomore and a dual major in Molecular and Cellular Biology with Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Joshi, who has written several articles at Willcox, is an intern at Amnesty International and is studying social studies.

She spent time in Palestine in 2022, and in a blog post took aim at Harvard and the media for supporting Ukraine during the Russian invasion but ignoring the ongoing situation in Gaza.

“When the victims of violence are not white — and when their existence disrupts American geopolitical interests — the circumstances of their murder suddenly become too complex to talk about,” she wrote.

‘But what could possibly be ‘complex’ about the murder of a five-year-old child? When a Palestinian journalist is murdered, things somehow become ‘ambiguous’.”

The letter was signed by many Harvard student groups, but without the students’ signatures. The names of the groups themselves have since been deleted in a move they say will increase the “security” of signatories.

Many members of these groups have since tried to disown it, claiming it was signed without their knowledge. Others say they regret the strident stance and have withdrawn their support.

The PSC’s initial statement caused a huge backlash, with a large number of prominent CEOs declaring those involved as “unemployed,” and the Anti-Defamation League labeling the statement as “anti-Semitic.”

The group openly promoted their protests on social media and paraded around campus with banners that read, “Harvard Supports Israeli Apartheid.”

Two other members of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee, Eva Frazier and Kawsar Yasin, spoke about their involvement with the group earlier in September.

Frazier and Yasin, both involved in the university’s Institutes of Politics Program, told the Harvard Independent they were “disappointed” in the political engagement at the university.

Yasin also reposted an image of Palestine on Saturday, after the attacks took place, with a quote from Malcom do oppressive work. .’