Tag: Free Palestine

  • 300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    A letter circulating widely on social media titled #NoHostagesLeftBehind has the signatures of 300 Hollywood celebrities who thanked USA president Joe Biden for recovering two Israeli hostages, Nurit Copper and Yocheved Lifshitz, from Hamas. Previously Hamas had released two American captives Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan.

    The letter went on to express concern over 220 innocent people “including 30 children, remain in captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death. They were taken by Hamas in the savage massacre of October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis were slaughtered – women raped, families burned alive, and infants beheaded.”

    However, the death toll of Palestinian children killed from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has reached 2,055. But the letter chooses to not mention them or any casualty on the Palestinian side.

    The letter went on to thank President Biden for supporting the Jewish people who were “terrorized by the Hamas since the group’s founding over 35 years ago” and also for helping the Palestinians “who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza.”

    According to Al-Jazeera, the death toll of Palestinian has reached to 5000 after consistent bombing in the past 24 hours. Dozens of buildings have been destroyed, one million people are displaced who are also denied basic necessities like food, water and electricity.

    The letter ended with the celebrities claiming their aim is “Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

    Here are all the celebrities who had signed the letter.

    Adam & Jackie Sandler
    Amy Schumer
    Aaron Sorkin
    Barry Diller
    Behati Prinsloo
    Bella Thorne
    Ben Stiller
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bobbi Brown
    Bradley Cooper
    Brett Gelman
    Chris Rock
    Constance Wu
    Courteney Cox
    David Alan Grier
    David Chang
    David Geffen
    David Oyelowo
    Diane Von Furstenberg
    Eli Roth
    Emma Seligman
    Eric Andre
    Ewan McGregor
    Gal Gadot
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Harvey Keitel
    Isla Fisher
    Jack Black
    James Brolin
    Jason Blum
    Jason Sudeikis
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jerry Seinfeld 
    Jesse Plemons
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Seinfeld
    Joey King
    John Slattery
    Jon Hamm
    Jordan Peele
    Josh Brolin
    Judd Apatow
    Judge Judy Sheindlin
    Julia Garner
    Julianna Margulies
    Julie Rudd
    Justin Theroux
    Justin Timberlake
    Karlie Kloss
    Katy Perry
    Kirsten Dunst
    Lana Del Rey
    Laura Dern
    Liev Schreiber
    Madonna
    Martin Short
    Michelle Williams
    Mila Kunis
    Nicola Peltz
    Noa Tishby
    Olivia Wilde
    Orlando Bloom
    Paul & Julie Rudd
    Richard Jenkins
    Rita Ora
    Ross Duffer
    Sacha Baron Cohen
    Sam Levinson
    Sarah Paulson
    Sean Combs
    Shira Haas
    Sting & Trudie Styler 
    Taika Waititi
    Thomas Kail
    Tiffany Haddish
    Tyler Perry
    Will Ferrell
    Andy Cohen
    Alex Edelman
    Amy Sherman Palladino

    Aubrey Plaza
    Barry Levinson
    Billy Crystal
    Brad Falchuk
    Brian Grazer
    Bridget Everett

    Brooke Shields

    Chelsea Handler

    Chloe Fineman

    Chris Jericho

    Colleen Camp

    David Schwimmer

    Dawn Porter

    Dean Cain

    Debra Messing

    Elisabeth Shue
    Erin Foster
    Eugene Levy
    Gene Stupinski
    Gina Gershon
    Guy Oseary
    Henry Winkler
    Holland Taylor
    James Corden
    Jason Reitman
    Jessica Elbaum
    Jimmy Carr
    Jonathan Ross
    Josh Charles
    Juliette Lewis
    Kristen Schaal
    Kristin Chenoweth
    Lea Michele
    Mark Foster
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead
    Matthew Weiner
    Michael Rappaport
    Molly Shannon
    Noah Schnapp
    Pattie LuPone
    Regina Spektor
    Sara Foster
    Sarah Cooper
    Scott Braun
    Seth Meyers
    Sharon Stone
    Zack Snyder
    Zoey Deutch
    Zosia Mamet
    Zoe Saldana
    Alex Aja
    Aaron Bay-Schuck
    Amy Chozick
    Aron Coleite
    Adam Goodman
    Alan Grubman
    Adam Levine
    Allan Loeb
    Amy Pascal
    Angela Robinson
    Antonio Campos
    Anthony Russo 
    Alexandra Shiva
    Andrew Singer
    Alison Statter
    Alona Tal
    Ali Wentworth
    Ari Dayan
    Ari Greenburg
    Arik Kneller
    Ashley Levinson
    Asif Satchu
    Barbara Hershey
    Barry Rosenstein
    Beau Flynn
    Ben Turner
    Ben Winston
    Ben Younger
    Blair Kohan
    Bobby Kotick
    Brad Slater
    Bradley Fischer
    Bruna Papandrea
    Cameron Curtis
    Casey Neistat
    Cazzie David
    Charles Roven
    Chris Fischer
    Christian Carino
    Cindi Berger
    Claire Coffee
    Craig Silverstein
    Dan Aloni

    Dan Rosenweig

    Dana Goldberg

    Dana Klein

    Danny Strong

    Daniel Palladino

    Danielle Bernstein

    Danny Cohen

    Daphne Kastner

    David Bernad

    David Baddiel

    David Ellison

    David Gilmour &

    Polly Sampson

    David Goodman

    David Joseph

    David Kohan

    David Lowery

    Deborah Lee Furness

    Deborah Snyder
    Donny Deutsch
    Doug Liman
    Douglas Chabbott
    Eddy Kitsis
    Edgar Ramirez
    Elizabeth Himelstein
    Embeth Davidtz
    Emmanuelle Chriqui 
    Erik Feig
    Evan Jonigkeit
    Evan Winiker
    Francis Benhamou
    Francis Lawrence
    Fred Raskin
    Gabe Turner
    Gail Berman
    Gary Barber
    Genevieve Angelson
    Gideon Raff
    Grant Singer
    Greg Berlanti
    Guy Nattiv
    Hannah Fidell
    Hannah Graf
    Harlan Coben
    Harold Brown
    Henrietta Conrad
    Howard Gordon
    Iain Morris
    Imran Ahmed
    Inbar Lavi
    Jackie Sandler
    Jake Graf
    Jake Kasdan 
    Jamie Ray Newman
    Jaron Varsano
    Jason Fuchs
    Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs

    Jason Segel
    JD Lifshitz
    Jeff Rake
    Jen Joel
    Jeremy Piven
    Jesse Itzler
    Jesse Sisgold
    Jill Littman
    Jody Gerson
    Joe Hipps
    Joe Quinn
    Joe Russo
    Joe Tippett
    Joel Fields 
    John Landgraf 
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Glickman
    Jon Liebman
    Jonathan Baruch
    Jonathan Groff 
    Jonathan Tropper

    Jonathan Marc Sherman
    Jonathan Steinberg
    Jonathan Tisch
    Josh Goldstine
    Josh Greenstein
    Josh Grode
    Julia Lester 
    Julie Greenwald
    Karen Pollock
    Kelley Lynch
    Kevin Kane

    Kevin Zegers

    Kitao Sakurai

    KJ Steinberg

    Laura Pradelska

    Lauren Schuker Blum

    Laurence Mark

    Laurie David

    Lee Eisenberg

    Leslie Siebert

    Leo Pearlman

    Limor Gott

    Lina Esco

    Liz Garbus

    Lizanne Rosenstein

    Lizzie Tisch

    Lorraine Schwartz

    Lynn Harris

    Lyor Cohen

    Mandana Dayani

    Maria Dizzia 

    Mara Buxbaum

    Marc Webb

    Marco Perego

    Mark Feuerstein

    Mark Shedletsky
    Mark Scheinberg
    Mathew Rosengart
    Matt Lucas
    Matt Miller
    Matthew Bronfman
    Matthew Hiltzik
    Matti Leshem
    Dame Maureen Lipman
    Max Mutchnik
    Maya Lasry
    Meaghan Oppenheimer
    Melissa Zukerman
    Michael Ellenberg
    Michael Aloni
    Michael Green
    Michael Rapino
    Michael Weber
    Mike Medavoy
    Mimi Leder
    Modi Wiczyk
    Nancy Josephson 
    Natasha Leggero
    Neil Blair
    Neil Druckmann
    Nicole Avant
    Nina Jacobson
    Noa Kirel 
    Noah Oppenheim
    Noreena Hertz
    Odeya Rush
    Oran Zegman
    Pasha Kovalev
    Paul Haas
    Paul Pflug
    Peter Traugott
    Rachel Riley
    Rafi Marmor
    Ram Bergman
    Raphael Margulies 
    Rebecca Angelo
    Rebecca Mall
    Reinaldo Marcus Green
    Rich Statter
    Richard Kind
    Rick Hoffman
    Rick Rosen
    Robert Newman
    Rob Rinder
    Roger Birnbaum
    Roger Green
    Rosie O’Donnell
    Ryan Feldman
    Sam Trammell
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Bremner
    Sarah Treem
    Scott Tenley
    Seth Oster
    Scott Braun
    Scott Neustadter
    Shannon Watts
    Shari Redstone
    Sharon Jackson
    Shauna Perlman
    Shawn Levy
    Sheila Nevins
    Simon Sebag Montefiore
    Simon Tikhman
    Skylar Astin 
    Stacey Snider
    Stephen Fry
    Steve Agee
    Steve Rifkind
    Susanna Felleman
    Susie Arons 
    Todd Lieberman
    Todd Moscowitz
    Todd Waldman
    Tom Freston
    Tom Werner
    Tomer Capone 
    Tracy Ann Oberman
    Trudie Styler
    Tyler James Williams
    Vanessa Bayer 
    Veronica Grazer
    Veronica Smiley
    Whitney Wolfe Herd
    Will Graham
    Yamanieka Saunders
    Yariv Milchan
    Ynon Kreiz

  • Gaza journalist Roshdie Sarraj martyred after Israel airstrike hits his home

    Gaza journalist Roshdie Sarraj martyred after Israel airstrike hits his home

    Palestinian journalist Roshdie Sarraj was martyred on Sunday after Israaeli air strikes bombed his home in Gaza, taking the total number of journalists killed since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza to 23.

    In his last Twitter post, Sarraj appealed to the international community to urgently call upon their leaders after another hospital in Gaza Al-Quds received a warning from Israel to evacuate before it is bombed. Currently, the hospital is housing more than 12,000 refugees.

    Putlitzer Prize nominated journalist Wissam Nassar confirmed Sarraj’s death on his Instagram account by writing: “My close friend, Rushdi Sarraj, was killed in Israeli bombardment on his home. He was a talented photojournalist and director creatively telling the stories of Gazans under war and siege. May you rest in peace, Roshdi. Please remember me to all journalists in the heaven, whom Israel killed.”

    Sarraj had actively used his Instagram account to spread awareness of the on-going genocide in Gaza. A recent picture showed how Israel had laid destruction over civilian homes.

    May he rest under Allah’s shade.

  • Palestinian poet, novelist Heba Abu Nada killed by Israeli strike

    Palestinian poet, novelist Heba Abu Nada killed by Israeli strike

    On Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture announced the death of Palestinian poet and novelist Heba Abu Nada. The author was killed during bombardment at Khan Younis by the Israel.

    Heba’s debut novel ‘Oxygen Is Not For The Dead’ in 2017 won her the second place at the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity.

    Abu Nada was born in Mecca in 1991, studied bio chemistry at the Islamic University of Gaza, and completed her Masters in Clinical Nutrition.

    Palestinian-Swedish political scientist Abdalhadi Alija, who announced Heba’s death on social media, added a declaration she had made before passing away: “If we die, know that we are content and steadfast, and convey on our behalf that we are people of truth.”

  • ‘You shut the F up’: Dave Chappelle gives it to Israeli supporter as crowd cheers him on

    ‘You shut the F up’: Dave Chappelle gives it to Israeli supporter as crowd cheers him on

    An account about comedian Dave Chappelle, posted on Twitter, is going viral on social media.

    A user posted that during a Boston show, in front of a sold-out crowd 22,000 strong, Chappelle criticised Israel’s bombing of Gaza. Podcaster Imran Muneer narrated that Dave acknowledged the attacks by the Hamas were wrong, but Israel had no right to slaughter countless Palestinian civilians. An attendee in the crowd shouted “Shut the f* up Dave”, to which Chappelle responded “No you shut the f* up.”

    “You don’t take tens of billions from my country to go kill innocent women and children and come and tell me to shut the f* up,” narrated Imran.Dave then went on to criticise Israel for begging USA for money, and then using it to drop bombs on women and children: “He said don’t come begging for money from my country and then go drop bombs on children and cut off innocent people water and electricity. You have the audacity to pay to come see me and then tell me shut the f* up, no you shut the f*** up. The crowd started clapping and cheering for him and saying yes Dave and chants of free Palestine and then he said you’re damn right free Palestine.”

    Imran also pointed out the crowd at Dave’s show comprised of 80% white, 5% black and the rest were Latins.

  • More Hollywood stars including Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett ask for ceasefire in Gaza

    More Hollywood stars including Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett ask for ceasefire in Gaza

    As social media users and human rights activists put out a loud chorus to end the genocide in Palestine, celebrities are also adding their voice. According to Variety, a group of 55 actors which included A-list celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Joaquin Phoenix and Riz Ahmed, have signed an open letter demanding US President Biden to call a ceasefire in Gaza.

    The letter includes celebrities like Ayo Edebiri, Muslim comedian and host behind Netflix’s ‘Patriot Act’ Hasan Minhaj, Jeremy Strong, Jessica Chastain, Jon Stewart, Sandra Oh and veteran Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon.

    The letter demanded from Joe Biden to open his eyes to the current destruction and chaos in Gaza: “More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”

    “We urge your administration,” the letter further states. “And all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages. Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them.”

    The statement also quotes UNICEF spokesperson James Elder who condemned the misuse of international law on how Gazan civilians are stripped of their basic necessities and are living within destruction.

    “‘Children and families in Gaza have practically run out of food, water, electricity, medicine and safe access to hospitals, following days of air strikes and cuts to all supply routes. Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday afternoon, shutting down electricity, water and wastewater treatment. Most residents can no longer get drinking water from service providers or household water through pipelines…. The humanitarian situation has reached lethal lows, and yet all reports point to further attacks. Compassion — and international law — must prevail.’ – UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.”

    The letter ends with the signatories calls for everyone to stand for freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people. “We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing. As Emergency Relief Chief Martin Griffiths told UN News, “History is watching.’”

  • Faryal Makhdoom calls out Israel’s attempt to bribe influencers to stay quiet on Palestine

    Faryal Makhdoom calls out Israel’s attempt to bribe influencers to stay quiet on Palestine

    Social media influencer and wife to boxer Amir Khan, Faryal Makhdoom has used her social media platform to speak out on the Israeli bombardment of Palestine. She shared a screenshot today of a message she received from the Israeli government, asking her to cease supporting Palestine in exchange for money.

    In the caption, Faryal wrote: “I got this message last night. Like it’s going to stop me from posting the truth.”

    Faryal shared another post of an Israeli commentator on her Instagram account who attempted to sway her support for Palestine by writing that Hamas was behind the controversial hospital attack in Gaza. Faryal shut the user down with a list of facts that proved the attack was by Israel.

    Egyptian influencer Dina Tokio shared a similar message she received on Whatsapp and condemned this by writing “typical behavior”.

    Several users have reported receiving bribe offers from organisations demanding them to pull back from posting content about Palestine. British influencer Cara Watson is going viral on social media for criticising a company trying to pressure her with money to support Israel’s ongoing genocide.

  • How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    As the genocide of Palestinians goes on with the death toll currently reported to be 12,493 people in Gaza as per Al-Jazeera. Many of us Pakistanis are feeling a sense of helplessness as videos are emerging showing children killed, shell-shocked or traumatised by the violence they witnessed, asking how they can continue to support the fight for a free Palestine. Here are the several ways you can support the Palestinian cause:

    Donate:

    We are listing down several organisations that are taking donations from Pakistan to help provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians.

    Doctors Without Borders

    This is an organisation that is currently working to provide medical relief and aid to countless injured civilians in Gaza. Pakistani’s can visit their website and provide donations through Mastercard or Visa.

    Al Khidmat Foundation:

    This organisation is working on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance to the wounded in Gaza. Click on their website to send a donation.

    Palestine Children’s Relief Fund:

    The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is actively working in Gaza to provide medical surgery, mental health programs and also to sponsor children who have become orphans as a result of the war. You can visit their website to find out details on how to donate.

    Read more books about the Palestinian liberation movement and from Palestinians authors

    Here are some books you can look up on to learn more about the origins of apartheid in Palestine, and how did the Nakba begin. These books are currently available at The Last Word or you can download them as pdf’s online.

    Children Of The Stone: the power of music in a hard land by Sandy Tolan

    Chronicles the story of Ramzi Hussein Aburedwan, a child from Palestinian refugee camps who rose to become a music student and founded a music school with the help of musicians around the world.

    The Palestine Nakba: Decolonising History, Narrating The Subaltern, Reclaiming Memory by Nur Masalha.

    This book debunks some of the narratives presented by Israelis in an attempt to suppress the resistance, by directly narrating history from Palestinians.

    Freedom Is A Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine and the foundations of a movement by Angela Davis

    This book is a collection of essays, interviews and speeches written by activist and scholar Angela Davis who draws the comparison between state violence and oppression throughout the world such as Ferguson and the Palestine struggle.

    Watch movies and documentaries made by Palestinians

    Five Broken Cameras: A documentary made by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi on the protests led by Palestinian farmers in Bil’in, a West Bank village which was encroached by the Israeli West Bank barrier. Available on Netflix.

    Chilldren Of Shatila (1998): A documentary that focuses on the lives of two Palestinian children growing up Beirut’s Palestinian Shatila refugee camp. Available on Netflix.

    Gaza (2019): A documentary that looks in to the lives of Gazan citizens and their everyday routine. Available to stream online.

    Follow Palestinian influencers on Instagram and TikTok

    Subhi who goes by sbeih.jpeg on Instagram provides regular updates on the on-ground situation in Gaza.

    Mohammad Elkurd is a Palestinian poet whose Instagram account mohammadelkurd provides updates on the situation in Gaza.

    Plestia Alaqad is a journalist who gives regular updates on Gaza on her TikTok and Instagram account byplestia

    Boycott brands that are providing donations to Israel

    Here is an official list of brands listed by the Palestinian BDS Movement a group of activists currently leading the call for the end of genocide in Gaza.

  • Greta Thunberg calls for ceasefire in Gaza, freedom for Palestine

    Greta Thunberg calls for ceasefire in Gaza, freedom for Palestine

    Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg has raised her voice in calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine. She shared a post on Instagram, holding the poster ‘Free Gaza’ and announced that she was striking in solidarity with Palestine.

    “Week 270. Today we are striking in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.”

    The climate change activist also shared several accounts for her followers to educate themselves on the struggle for Free Palestine.

  • Four more Hollywood superstars condemn assault on Palestine

    Four more Hollywood superstars condemn assault on Palestine

    As the tide turns with more activists and public figures taking to social media and the streets to condemn Israel’s barbaric genocide inflicted upon Palestinians, several A-list celebrities have joined in to condemn the war in Gaza.

    Actor Mark Ruffalo shared a link to a Huffpost article on the 10000 Jewish activists who stormed a congressional office building, and re shared a quote given by prominent Palestinian supporter and Jewish professor Naomi Klein:

    “Since we were children, so many of us have told ourselves that we would not stand by if we were ever witnesses to genocidal violence,” Naomi Klein said. “We told ourselves that we would raise our voices. We told ourselves we would put our bodies on the line. We pledged that such horrors would never again happen on our watch.”

    Ruffalo, Marvel’s Hulk, has been a vocal proponent of the Palestinian cause.

    Jenna Ortega, who is the star behind Netflix’s critically acclaimed series ‘Wednesday’ has remained a staunch supporter towards creating a free state for the Palestinians. She re-shared a post calling for an end to the ongoing genocide by a page called Jewish Voice For Peace.

    She then shared a post by a Jewish American poet and activist Andrea Gibson who wrote a detailed account of how US plays an active role in the on-going genocide of the Palestinians.

    Aimee Lou Wood, the actress from Netflix’s popular series ‘Sex Education’ shared a series of posts spreading awareness about the on-going genocide in Palestine, and shared links to the UN Relief Agency collecting funds to provide humanitarian relief to those suffering.

    Rapper Macklemore shared a lengthy statement on his Instagram account where he called for a Free Palestine and an end to the genocide of all its people.

  • Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    After the horrific Al-Ahli Baptist hospital bombardment in Gaza, prominent celebrities as well as Jewish activists in the US have taken to social media and the streets to condemn the ongoing genocide of Palestinians, calling for a ceasefire. On Wednesday, 500 Jewish activists were arrested after they stormed the Congressional building, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

    READ MORE: 500 Jewish protesters arrested after demanding ceasefire inside Capitol Hill

    Hollywood celebrities are joining in on the voices to condemn the bombing of Gaza. Yara Shahidi released a statement on her Instagram account, demanding an end to the atrocities and a ceasefire.

    ‘We must also have the capacity to hold on to the urgent need for support and allyship for the Palestinian peoples who have been pushed into yet-another forced relocation, killed in designated places of refuge, and denied access to humanitarian aid- no access to water, electricity or food- violating explicit international humanitarian laws.”

    ‘Sex And The City’ actor and politician Cynthia Nixon condemned the violence in Palestine, urging her colleagues to join Cori Bush’s call for a ceasefire.

    Celebrity couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend shared a joint statement on their Instagram account, revealing that they were working with organisations like World Central Kitchen and Doctor’s Without Borders to ensure children and families in both Palestine and Israel have access to humanitarian relief.

    In the last paragraph, the couple called upon world leaders to “do everything in their power to protect the human rights of children impacted by the ongoing conflict.”

    Doctors Without Borders has explicitly shown footage on their Instagram account of the massacre at Al-Ahli hospital after the Israeli attack, writing that, “Nothing justifies a shocking attack on a hospital and its many patients and health workers, as well as the people who sought shelter there.”

    World Central Kitchen has shared videos of food donations they have provided to struggling families affected by the war in Gaza and in Israel.