Tag: Israeli atrocities

  • Susan Sarandon lauds Bella Hadid’s efforts for Palestine, condemns Israel’s apartheid

    Susan Sarandon lauds Bella Hadid’s efforts for Palestine, condemns Israel’s apartheid

    American actress, activist, and producer Susan Sarandon has lauded Bella Hadid for her efforts for the Palestinians and condemned Israel’s apartheid in Palestine.

    “I stand with the Palestinian people fighting against the apartheid government of Netanyahu and pray for the Israeli people that they too, will enjoy peace,” said Susan while writting on Twitter.

    She also commended Bella’s efforts, saying: “I also support Bella Hadid for having the bravery to stand in solidarity with her people,” adding, “that can be lonely.”

    Replying to Susan, the American supermodel said: “Susan I’ve always looked up to you and your advocacy for the world. You give me the strength to keep speaking up for the things that matter to me… human rights for everyone worldwide. You give me the strength to stay strong in my power, to keep moving forward with kindness, respect, integrity, and love… no matter what!”

    “Thank you for your support, Susan. You are the legend above all legends. I am lucky to hear these words from you, and I know Palestine is grateful for your support as well. We will always stand tall for the voices of the oppressed and of the silenced, Thank you, I love you dearly,” wrote Bella.

    Earlier, Hadid had joined a protest in New York in solidarity with Palestinian people against Israeli violence in Palestine.

    Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israel ruthlessly attacked worshipers at Al-Aqsa the next day during Friday prayers on May 21.

  • ‘How does stating facts make one anti-Semitic?’ questions Sheheryar Munawar

    ‘How does stating facts make one anti-Semitic?’ questions Sheheryar Munawar

    While Israel continues to commit atrocities against Palestine and Palestinians despite a ceasefire, many people, including Mark Ruffalo and Gigi Hadid who initially called out Israel for committing war crimes and genocide, have now steered the debate towards Antisemitism, urging people to stop harassing Jews for what Israel is doing. Furthermore, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi was also labelled anti-Semitic by CNN journalist Bianna Golodryga after he accused Israel of having “deep pockets”.

    Read more – Celebs support SMQ after CNN reporter calls him ‘anti-Semitic’

    Following the brouhaha, Sheheryar Munawar, while sharing his thoughts on the matter, commented: “When reputable foreign media agencies quote more than 200 ‘dead’ (How? Did they one day just internally combust?) and, on the contrary, 12 Israelis ‘killed’, it proves Israel either has deep pockets or has Professor Xavier on their pay roll controlling minds.”

    “Or maybe ‘credible’ journalists choose to bring in their own personal biases when reporting on the region (which could count as what racist? No wait, there’s no word for it – it’s known as Islamophobia which in itself justifies the act by using fear as reasoning and takes blame away from the one committing it – wow),” continued the actor.

    Munawar further said: “Either way how does stating facts make one anti-Semitic? Does saying Arabs have a lot of oil money make you…umm wait, yeah no word for it…for the sake of argument, Islamophobic?”

    In a separate note, the actor explained: “There’s a difference between anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist. Just as every Muslim is not a Taliban, every Jew is not Zionist.”

    Munawar further said: “Am I or can the narrative from this side be called anti-Zionist? Yes! But we anti-Zionist because we are anti-fundamentalism, whether Muslim or Jewish.”

    Agreeing with Qureshi’s “deep pockets” remark, Sheheryar said: “But when Jewish toxic fundamentalism is backed by $3.8 billion dollars of US Military funding (sponsored by US tax payer money), then I have no qualms about calling a wolf a wolf specially when it doesn’t even have the courtesy to at least try and hide in sheep’s clothing.”

    Meanwhile, Hania Aamir called out a local media outlet for “yellow journalism” and portraying Qureshi in negative light.

    “Please choose your captions wisely. Other aspects of the interview could have been highlighted but you chose to highlight the one that portrays the only official Muslim representative who is being vocal about the genocide and calling a spade a spade in a negative light,” said Aamir, adding: “Also at a time when bringing about change on a matter of grave concern – terrorism, settler colonialism etc – is relying on social media you need to show a bit more responsibility.”

    “Yellow journalism will be called out. Goes for all other publications. Please use your words wisely and realise your responsibility,” asserted Hania.

  • Mark Ruffalo apologises for suggesting Israel committed ‘genocide’ in Palestine

    Mark Ruffalo apologises for suggesting Israel committed ‘genocide’ in Palestine

    American actor Mark Ruffalo, popularly known as The Hulk, has apologised for his statement which suggested that Israel is committing “genocide” in Palestine.

    “I have reflected and wanted to apologise for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing ‘genocide’,” the actor wrote on Twitter. “It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful and is being used to justify anti-Semitism here and abroad.”

    “Now is the time to avoid hyperbole,” added Ruffalo.

    The actor’s apology comes following weeks of violence on Palestinians during which Pakistani celebrities, as well as international celebrities, took to social media and came out on roads to condemn Israeli atrocities in Palestine.

    However, Mark hasn’t deleted his earlier tweets supporting Palestinians and they are still up on his account.

    Earlier in October 2020, Ruffalo had referred to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the division between the two as a “kind of apartheid” while speaking to television host Mehdi Hasan on the self-titled NBC program.

    He also accused the Israeli government of carrying out “asymmetrical warfare” against the Palestinian people, and tied in United States’ support for Israel as plainly aiding and abetting the separation and the “violence acted upon them.”

    Meanwhile, Usman Mukhtar expressed his shock over Mark’s change in stance, questioning, “What is happening?”

    Ushna Shah said: “And then there were none.”

    Ahmed Ali Butt also expressed his disappointment, saying: “Mark Ruffalo se Mark Badloo.”

    Earlier, American supermodel Gigi Hadid had called out anti-Semitic supporters of Palestine, calling them “hypocrites” for spreading hate towards the Jews.

  • Christian Betzmann under fire for insensitive take on Palestine issue, criticising Pakistan

    Christian Betzmann under fire for insensitive take on Palestine issue, criticising Pakistan

    German travel vlogger Christian Betzmann is at the receiving end of flak for his insensitive take on the Palestine issue and criticism on Pakistan.

    The Israeli armed oppression against the defenseless Palestinians has been making headlines all over the world. The catastrophic bombing in Gaza is being fearlessly conducted by the Israeli forces while the poor Palestinians continue to suffer from the worst humanitarian crisis. Amidst the ongoing violence in the Palestinian region, many common people, celebrities and social media influencers all across the world have shown support for the Palestinians.

    Christian shared his views on his Instagram stories and people were not happy with his take on it. One of the netizens used foul language with the YouTuber and Christian, instead of ignoring him, insulted Pakistani people and the country as a whole.

    Meanwhile, in a conversation with an influencer Muznah, the Vlogger shared his opinion regarding the Palestine issue, saying he believes that social media has never helped in any political event.

    He further added the strikes of third world countries are useless and waste of time , while also commenting that this thought is “naïve.”

    The German Vlogger even openly wrote that you have no power and concluded his statement, saying: “It’s better to go pray as praying is the only thing third world countries can do.”

    Whereas, “first world countries are based on doers,” he declared. 

    Christian who recently embraced Islam said: “Prayers do nothing” and “you can’t do anything.”

    The Vlogger also said that the people of Pakistan must enjoy as long they can because “you never know your country might be next.”

    Here is the conversation of the two:

    Tiktoker Romaisa Khan also confronted Betzmann regarding his statement

    Romaisa explained that Pakistan has its own sets of problems but they can’t be wrongfully compared to what the Palestinians are going through, as Christian had. She even called Christian a selfish man who now is talking trash about the country which warmly welcomed him with love.

    The Tiktok star also shared how she was unfollowed by Christian even though he was the one who had initially followed her on Instagram.

    Instagram influencer Khaqan Shahnawaz, who is soon to be seen in Mahira Khan’s Baarwan Khiladi also bashed the Vlogger and asked him to go back to his country if he hates this “Third World Country” so much.

    “If you don’t want to protest, then don’t. But don’t you dare say anything about my country, otherwise I will eat you alive,” said Khaqan jokingly.

    Christian responded to the backlash by saying that he condemns whatever is happening in Palestine but choosing to not speak about an issue should not be treated as an opportunity to insult him.

    He continued to press upon his own point of view and said in his own words, ”calling people bad words just because they don’t want to share their opinion is stupid.” He further said that if social media was as powerful as people were saying it was then it would have helped Pakistanis to fix their issues too.

    Later, Betzmann said that he stands with the people of Palestine.

    Meanwhile, Christian’s fiancée and Pakistani actress Zoya Nasir has not yet commented on the matter. However, she lauded Bella Hadid for her bravery and refusing to “bow down and stand for what is right.”

    Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was announced early Friday morning, Israel ruthlessly attacked worshippers at Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers.

  • Despite a ceasefire, Israel ruthlessly attacks worshippers at Al-Aqsa

    Despite a ceasefire, Israel ruthlessly attacks worshippers at Al-Aqsa

    Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was announced early Friday morning, Israel ruthlessly attacked worshippers at Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers.

    Israel fired rubber bullets and shelled both Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, Islam’s third holiest site.

    It is being reported that children and women have been hurt by the tear gas while praying.

    PTI’s official Twitter handle lashed out on the barbaric violence by Israel calling out their act as a ‘massacre’.

    Israel’s bombardment of Gaza killed at least 243 Palestinians, including 66 children, in 11 days and brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished territory. On the Israeli side, 12 people, including two children, were killed.

  • SMQ labelled ‘anti-Semitic’ by CNN host

    CNN’s Senior Global Affairs Analyst and anchorperson Bianna Golodryga has labelled Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi “anti-Semitic” after she interviewed him on the ongoing violence in Gaza.

    Qureshi, who had appeared on Bianna’s show Thursday night, stated that the “tide was turning” against Israel as it was losing the media war despite its connections. The foreign minister had lashed out at Israel for its state-sanctioned massacre in Gaza, where nearly 250 Palestinian men, women and children have been killed in less than two weeks.

    The minister during the show had said a ceasefire was inevitable since Israel “is losing out”.

    When Golodryga asked Qureshi to explain Israel’s “connections”, Qureshi had said: “Deep pockets.”

    Golodryga further asked him to explain his point of view on the situation, to which Qureshi said: “They are very influential people, I mean they control media.”

    In response to this, the CNN journalist labelled him anti-Semitic.

    “The point is, they have a lot of influence, and they get a lot of coverage. What’s balanced that is the citizen journalist who has been reporting, sharing video clips, and that has jolted people and woken up people…people who were sitting on the fence are today, speaking up,” added Qureshi.

    Golodryga further stressed on the “anti-Semitic talk and rhetoric”. She stated that someone like Qureshi, who is in a powerful position, should say that’s wrong.

    Antisemitism is generally considered to be a form of racism and is defined as “hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews”.

    When Qureshi was talking about the heavy Palestinian casualties as a result of Israeli airstrikes, she urged him to be objective and also focus on Israeli casualties caused by Hamas rockets.

    After two weeks of violent attacks, Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire early on Friday.

  • ‘We have to let Palestinians stay where they have lived for the past 70 years,’ says Israeli parliamentarian

    Mossi Raz, who is a senior member of Israel’s Parliament Knesset, has said that it is ‘unjust’ of Israel to evict Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. Raz is a member of the Meretz party, which advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

     “We have to reverse this decision and let Palestinians stay in the place they have lived for the past seventy years,” said Raz while speaking to Geo News.

    Raz said that thought the the solution to Israel-Palestine conflict is hard, it is not impossible.

    “The only solution to war is peace,” said Raz. “First and foremost, we have to stop the fight. Both sides have to stop the fight right now.”

    The parliamentarian further said: “Unfortunately, people always support hardliners and their leadership in times of war. We have to uphold freedom, equality, and human rights for people here and in Palestine.”

    “The reason why the US president [Joe Biden] repeatedly opposed the security council’s resolution pressing for a ceasefire is that the proposed resolution, I would say, was not fair. It talked about Israel’s violence but did not mention Palestine’s violence.” 

    He also clarified that he was neither comparing nor saying there is a symmetry in violence occurring on both sides.

    “[I’m] only trying to say that sending missiles on civilians is a war crime be it in Israel or Palestine.”

     At least 220 Palestinians, including 63 children, have been killed in Gaza since the latest violence flared on May 10, about 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.

  • ‘Your country was forced on the world,’ Asim Azhar calls out Israel’s claims

    ‘Your country was forced on the world,’ Asim Azhar calls out Israel’s claims

    Ever since Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Gaza and Palestine, the official Twitter account of the country has been actively propagating and justifying its acts. Asim Azhar recently responded to one of their tweets and told them to “stop the terrorism”.

    Responding to Israel’s claims that they were founded 3,000 years ago, Azhar said: “Your ‘country’ was literally founded, sorry I mean forced on the world in 1948. Humse bhi aik saal chotay ho, aide tussi 3,000 years kay (You are one year younger than Pakistan and yet you claim you’re 3000 years old).”

    “Stop the terrorism,” he added.

    Asim’s tweet comes as tensions escalate in Palestine, where the Jewish state has dropped bombs on Palestinians killing hundreds. According to reports, Israeli fighter jets continued to pummel the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Wednesday, flattening residential buildings and killing at least four Palestinians, including a journalist.

    Read more – Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against injustice in Palestine

    Furthermore, reports have stated that Israel has dropped close to 122 bombs on Gaza in 25 minutes on Wednesday.

    Earlier, Israeli forces shot dead four other Palestinians and wounded scores more during protests and a historic general strike in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

    At least 220 Palestinians, including 63 children, have been killed in Gaza since the latest violence flared on May 10. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.

  • Usman Mukhtar delays release of ‘Bench’ in solidarity with Palestine

    Usman Mukhtar delays release of ‘Bench’ in solidarity with Palestine

    In wake of the unfolding events in Palestine, Usman Mukhtar has delayed the release of his directorial project Bench, which was scheduled to release on May 20.

    Read more – Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    In a social media post, Mukhtar wrote: “Hello everyone, as you might have heard, our film Bench was set to release on YouTube on the 20th of May.”

    “However, as excited as we are to show you our work, we are beyond devastated seeing all the atrocities being carried out in Palestine,” continued the actor, adding: “In the wake of the unfolding events and out of respect for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, we have decided to delay the release.”

    Mukhtar promised that he would release it in “happier times”.

    Mukhtar also encouraged people with social media following and platform to raise their voice against the dilemma currently unfolding within the middle-east. While censorship and suppression of the ongoing events is widespread, it is important to continue to raise your voice on the matter.

    Read more – ‘Use your influence for the right thing’: Hania Aamir, Zara Noor urge people to call out violence in Palestine

    “I would also like to take this opportunity to request everyone reading this post to please pray for the people suffering and keep sharing anything you can on social media,” said Mukhtar.

    “It helps more than we know. If you have a voice, a platform, a following, you must use it,” he added with a flag of Palestine.

    Besides Mukhtar, several other celebrities including Ayeza Khan, Shehzad Roy and Feroze Khan have raised their voice against the brutality of Israel on Palestinians.

  • Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar has urged his fans and followers to speak for the people of Palestine.

    Taking to Instagram stories, Munawar wrote: “I have never asked you anything for myself, but today I ask you not to stay quiet. To open your minds and hearts and speak for the people of Palestine. Speak against the injustice.”

    Read more – ‘Use your influence for the right thing’: Hania Aamir, Zara Noor urge people to call out violence in Palestine

    The actor urged his followers to educate themselves on the current situation in Palestine and further educate others.

    “Take some time to first educate yourselves, not only about what’s happening now in the region but what has been going on for the past 70 odd years,” he added.

    Munawar said: “And then if it feels right to you, educate those around you.”

    In another post, Sheheryar went on to say, “There are 14.7 million Jews in the world – and a total of around two billion Muslims in the world. How many narratives (films) each year do we consume on the holocaust? Now compare that to the number of films, documentaries, shows about the ethnic cleansing, genocide in Palestine? Or for that matter, what’s happening in Syria, Yemen (I could keep going but you get the point), exactly right?”

    “We need more narratives, we need media agencies to start talking, we need people to start talking,” he concluded.

    With the constant airstrikes pounded on Gaza, at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed since the attacks began. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.