Tag: Gaza

  • How many Pakistanis are boycotting Israeli products? New reports shed light

    How many Pakistanis are boycotting Israeli products? New reports shed light

    As Israel intensified attacks in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 attacks, products affiliated with Israel are being boycotted across the world, including Pakistan.

    According to new survey by Pulse, the sentiments of Boycotting the MNC brands are still high.

    The survey was based on more than 1,200 respondents in 12 cities, revealing that while the gravity of sentiments has mellowed, almost eight amongst 10 (78 per cent -previously it was 83 per cent) respondents are in favor of boycotting the brands.

    Seven out of 10 (69 per cent – previously it was 79 per cent) amongst those who are in favor of boycotting brands claim that they are doing it.

    The report further highlights that “the sentiments to boycott are relatively high amongst females ( decision makers for household brands) as compared to males.”

    The most effected products or companies include carbonated soft drinks, followed by fast food, chips , juices, soaps and toothpaste.

  • Avoid calling the Hamas’ people ‘terrorists’, Voice of America tells staff

    Avoid calling the Hamas’ people ‘terrorists’, Voice of America tells staff

    One of the editors of the US state run broadcasting agency Voice of America, has sent an email to staff and journalists, asking that they should avoid using the word ‘terrorists’ for Hamas while reporting on the ongoing siege of Gaza by Israel.

    Washington Post has reported that Republicans are criticising the news organization for deviating from the official government narrative, stating that the government-funded news organization should not shy away from using the word ‘terrorist’.

    The mail suggested, “In covering the Israel-Gaza war — or any other conflict — we need to remember VOA’s commitment to fairness, neutrality and balance. We cannot favor one side over another or do anything that feeds even the perception of bias. The October 7 attacks on Israel may be described as terrorist attacks or acts of terror, but avoid calling Hamas and its members terrorists, except in quotes.”

  • Hamas claims responsibility for West Jerusalem shooting after Israeli forces kills two children in West Bank

    Hamas claims responsibility for West Jerusalem shooting after Israeli forces kills two children in West Bank

    Hamas has claimed responsibility for a West Jerusalem shooting, stating that the two gunmen were their members, one day after Israeli forces killed four Palestinians, including two children, in the occupied West Bank.

    The attack was carried out at a bus stop on Thursday, killing three people and wounding several.

    The shooters, too, have been killed.

    “The operation came as a natural response to unprecedented crimes conducted by the occupation,” Hamas said in a statement, highlighting Israel’s military operation in Gaza and their behaviour towards Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

    On Wednesday, two Palestinian children, both boys, aged eight and 15, were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.

  • Day-long extension of Israel-Hamas truce agreed

    A truce between Israel and Hamas was extended on Thursday just before it was due to expire, the two sides announced, with mediator Qatar reporting it would continue for one day under the same conditions that saw hostages exchanged.

    Minutes before the halt in fighting in the Gaza Strip was due to expire at 05:00 GMT, Israel’s military said the truce would be prolonged.

    “In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue,” it said.

    The prime minister’s office subsequently confirmed the extension, saying it had received a new list of hostages.

    “A short time ago, Israel was given a list of women and children in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and therefore the truce will continue,” it said, without specifying the number of captives to be freed.

    Hamas said there was an agreement to “extend the truce for a seventh day”, without further details. It had earlier said Israel initially refused to extend the truce after it offered to hand over seven hostages and the bodies of three more.

    Qatar, which has led the truce negotiations supported by Egypt and the United States, confirmed the pause had been extended for a day “under the same previous conditions”.

    The announcement came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Wednesday night, and with growing pressure for an extension of the pause.

    The truce agreement has brought a temporary halt to fighting in Gaza, where authorities say almost 15,000 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign. Israeli authorities say some 1,200 people were killed and around 240 taken hostage in Hamas’s surprise 7 October attack inside Israel.

    The truce agreement allows for extensions if Hamas can release another 10 hostages a day, but earlier both sides warned they were ready to return to fighting.

  • Twitter users outraged after Gigi Hadid apologises for Ahmad Mansara story, calls it ‘wrong example’

    Twitter users outraged after Gigi Hadid apologises for Ahmad Mansara story, calls it ‘wrong example’

    On November 25, Gigi Hadid shared a post using the example of Palestinian child Ahmed Mansara to point out how Israel beats and rape’s children and uses them as captives of war. She criticised Israel as the only country that does this, however now has walked back on her claims. In a new post, the model apologised for using Ahmad as an example, writing that was misinformation.

    “This weekend I shared something that I did not fact check or deeply think about prior to reposting…Unfortunately I used the wrong example to make that point and I regret that.”

    Ahmad Mansara was kidnapped by IDF forces at the age of 12, with videos showing that he has developed severe mental health issues during captivity. Amnesty International reports that he was 12 when his cousin Hassan was shot dead in front of dead, and Ahmad received severe head injuries after being hit by a car. He was sobbing on the ground and footage shows Israeli soldiers shouting at him. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for attempted murder.

    Khulood Badawi, Amnesty International’s Campaigner on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, reported that Ahmad was tortured and abused by Israeli authorities to the point where he has developed severe schizophrenia and depression, and his life remains at risk while being in prison.

    “Israeli authorities have treated Ahmad Manasra with inhuman cruelty, intent on pushing him past breaking point. He is now so gravely unwell that he could not attend his own hearing. Yet when Ahmad is discharged from the clinic, prison authorities will return him to solitary confinement and reschedule the court hearing. Ahmad’s nightmare goes on and on.

    “Ahmad Manasra has been diagnosed with serious mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and severe depression, for which he has been hospitalized before. Israeli authorities continue to ignore the warnings of independent psychiatrists, who have said that Ahmad Manasra’s life is at risk if he remains in prison. Worse still, they have condemned Ahmad to spend years in isolation despite his conditions, demonstrating once again their contempt for Palestinians’ rights, wellbeing, and lives.”

    Twitter users were horrified at how Gigi slandered the struggle to free Ahmad Mansara, and called it a betrayal of the Palestinian movement.

    “Gigi Hadid is apologising for using Ahmad Manasra as an example??? Does she even know his story or the torture he’s had to endure since he was a child? I’m so sick of her, idc if she’s Palestinian. This is a disgustingly huge betrayal of her people that won’t be forgiven.”

    “Gigi Hadid just slandered Ahmad Manasra & expressed regret over sharing his story. I will never forgive you, Gigi, especially with all your influence & affluence, for how you harmed those most noble & oppressed in our community,” wrote a user.

  • Risk of famine in Gaza: World Food Programme

    Warnings of a possible famine in Gaza have been issued by the UN World Food Program (WFP), underlining that supplies are starkly inadequate to tackle the hunger levels reported by WFP staff in UN shelters.

    “It is highly likely that the population of Gaza, especially women and children are at high risk of famine if WFP is not able to provide continued access to food,” the WFP said in a statement on Tuesday.

    “The WFP delivered desperately needed food to more than 120,000 people in Gaza during the initial pause,” the statement read.

    “Thanks to the pause, our teams have been in action on the ground, going into areas we haven’t reached for a long time. What we see is catastrophic,” said Corinne Fleischer, the WFP’s director for the MENA and Eastern Europe Region.

    “Six days is simply not enough to provide all the assistance needed. The people of Gaza have to eat every day, not just for six days,” she added.

    The Israel-Gaza four-day truce was to end yesterday, but it has now been successfully extended for two more days in agreement to exchange more Israeli hostages from Gaza with Palestinian prisoners from Israel.

    Samer Abdeljaber, the WFP representative and country director in Palestine, reports that the program’s teams have seen “hunger, despair, and destruction” among people who have not received any aid for weeks.

    He further stated that the humanitarian pause has only provided a momentary relief, “which we hope will pave the way for long-term calm.”

    The humanitarian aid must continue, uninterrupted and without any hindrances, he added.

  • #BoycottStrangerThings trends as news emerges of Netflix not firing Noah Schnapp

    #BoycottStrangerThings trends as news emerges of Netflix not firing Noah Schnapp

    Noah Schnapp was under fire after he promoted several racist messages undermining the genocide of Gaza and later a video went viral from his Instagram stories where he was distributing stickers labelled ‘Zionism is sexy’. Now news reports have revealed that Netflix is not considering the option of firing the actor from ‘Stranger Things’ season 5, and fans are rallying for the show to be boycotted.

    BoycottStrangerThings is now going viral on X (formerly Twitter) as fans are outraged with the way Zionist actors like Noah who shared racist and inhumane messages applauding the genocide can keep their jobs, while actors like Susan Sarandon and Melissa Barrera are fired for calling for a ceasefire.

    “So spyglass fired an actress for being anti-genocide and a crew member from stranger things was fired for denouncing the violence committed by Israel but when Schnapp says that zionism is sexy (which is the new form of nazism) he gets nothing? Fuxk off,” a user wrote.

    Many users are calling for a boycott on Netflix until Noah is fired from the series.

  • Cynthia Nixon launches hunger strike outside White House to demand ceasefire in Gaza

    Cynthia Nixon launches hunger strike outside White House to demand ceasefire in Gaza

    Former ‘Sex And The City’ star and politician Cynthia Nixon has joined progressive lawmakers to announce a hunger strike in order to end the genocide of Gaza and enable a permanent ceasefire.

    The hunger strike comes after official reports reveal that more than 15,000 Palestinians, including 6,000 children, were killed by Israeli airstrikes since October 7. A temporary ceasefire was declared on November 24 to facilitate the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian hostages.

    Speaking outside the White House, Nixon, along with Democrat state congressional lawmakers Abraham Aiyash, Zohran Mamdai, Sam Rasoul, Mauree Turner and Madinah Wilson-Anton, urged US officials to act fast and prevent more bloodshed.

    “The deaths that we have seen are largely due to the bombs, but so many Palestinians now are on the verge of starvation. Only 7 per cent of the nutrition they need is being let in on a daily basis,” Nixon spoke. “So we are here hunger-striking, just to sort of mirror to Biden the kind of deprivation that is happening in Gaza, and how he has it within his power to make a cease-fire happen and to allow humanitarian aid in.”

    The hunger strike will go on for five days, with Nixon taking part on Monday and Thursday due to work commitments.

    “Israel has killed more civilians on a tiny strip of land than were killed in 20 years of war in the entire country of Afghanistan, and this is not normal,” Cynthia said addressing the crowd. She, along with other DSA members and interfaith activists read aloud the names and ages of the Gazan children killed by Israeli airstrikes.

    Cynthia spoke to The Cut about how her Jewish son inspired her to take such a strong stance in order to shed light on the atrocities of Palestine.

    “Two of my three children are Jewish. My oldest son in particular is extremely involved in the movement for justice for Palestinians and has been very active in Chicago, where he lives and was arrested for his protest about a week and a half ago,” Cynthia opened up.

    Speaking on how her son was the descendants of two Holocaust survivors, Cynthia revealed he urged her to remember ‘Never Again’ means never again for everyone.

    “When this was starting, we spent a lot of time on the phone with him. He was doing everything he could in terms of protests, speeches, speaking in articles. He said to my wife and me point-blank, “You have a much bigger megaphone than I do. And I just implore you at this moment to do everything you can to bring attention to this.” His Jewish identity is very central to him. He’s the grandson of two Holocaust survivors. He said, for him, “never again” means never again for everyone. As a Jew, he feels he has a particular obligation to make sure this doesn’t happen again to another group of people. For everyone in our family, antisemitism is not a joke. It’s a serious and terrifying thing. In a recent article, my son said, for him, having antisemitism thrown about like a political football for warmongers is particularly upsetting. I couldn’t agree more.”

  • Why is #ElonToGaza trending on Twitter?

    Why is #ElonToGaza trending on Twitter?

    #ElonToGaza is one of the top trends on Twitter right now, appearing on the microblogging site after Elon Musk’s visit to Israel.

    The billionaire tycoon and owner of X (former Twitter), having made a number of controversial statements about the Gaza situation, went to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog. The tour took place after one of his tweets, dubbed anti-semitic by critics, went viral on social media. The contents of the tweet promoted the conspiracy theory that white people in the West are being “replaced” through immigration from the Global South with the help of progressive Jews – “the actual truth”.

    Details of the visit

    Accompanied by Prime Minister Netanyahu, the tech billionaire also visited a kibbutz that was raided by Hamas fighters on October 7, during an assault that left 1,200 people dead. He was also shown footage of the Hamas attack and met some of the families of people taken into captivity from Israel.

    Elon’s Twitter Space with Netanyahu

    “It was jarring to see the scene of the massacre,” said Musk later in an X Spaces conversation with Netanyahu, adding Israel has “no choice” but to eliminate Hamas.
    In the brief life-streamed conversation on X, Musk and Netanyahu agreed that Hamas needs to be eradicated. “You first have to get rid of the poisonous regime as you did in Germany, as you did in Japan. Yeah, in World War II,” said Netanyahu. Musk replied, “There’s no choice. There’s no choice.”

    Israeli President Isaac Herzog told Musk during a meeting that he had a huge role to play in the global fight against anti-Semitism.“We have to do whatever is necessary to stop the hate,” Musk replied, according to a statement released by Herzog’s office.

    Despite the fact that the Israeli Prime Minister condemned Musk for the tweet, he welcomed the visit by stating that Musk’s visit to Israel points to his solidarity with Israel.

    Purpose of the visit

    Musk reached an agreement with Israel “in principle” that internet access to Gaza may be provided through Starlink, but only using units operated by Israel and with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications.

    In October, CEO Musk said that “Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognised aid organisations in Gaza.”

    As Gaza plunged into darkness after its communications blackout in October, social media users pleaded with Musk to provide the besieged Gaza Strip with internet access through Starlink.

    Musk was prompted to provide internet connection in Ukraine through Starlink as it uses satellite and not cables to provide internet. People accused him of having “double standards” when it comes to Gaza where a brutal war is being inflicted by Israel. Even Israel has previously opposed Starlink connectivity for Gaza, contesting that Hamas would use it for “terrorist activities”.

    Now netizens are questioning Elon for not visiting Gaza despite the destruction and death that has befallen innocent civilians there.

    Hamas has also sent an invitation to Elon Musk.

  • On this day: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

    On this day: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

    November 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed by the United Nations every year.

    On this day, back in 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution known as the Partition Resolution (Resolution 181), calling for the establishment of an Arab state and a Jewish state with Jerusalem as a separate body under a special international regime.

    This, however, never became a reality and only Israel was created as a free entity.

    Israel took over East Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967 even though the Old City under the occupation is religiously significant for Muslims, Christians alongside Jews. While Israel has declared the annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980, the international community deems it an occupied territory to-date whereas Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they are fighting for.

    In 1977, on November 29, the UN General Assembly adopted an official observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.