The ongoing seige of Gaza has led to a death toll of 6000 innocent civilians, which includes 2000 children. President of America, Joe Biden, was criticised by protestors around the world for refusing to impose a ceasefire as hospitals in Gaza run out of fuel to provide care for the injured, including premature babies.
Actress Mahira Khan shared a series of clips from Gaza photographer Motaz Azizi, who shared a video of the complete destruction of Gaza after Israeli airstrikes. It followed with a clip of Gazan civilians who revealed how they fled to the south of Gaza to escape the bombs, but Israeli airstrikes bombed homes and markets there. Another clip showed Jewish Americans protesting inside the Capitol building.
“This is the genocide of Palestinian people,” the ‘Humsafar’ actress wrote. “This is killing of innocent human beings – men, women and children ( majority children). History will remember those who had the power to make a difference and didn’t, those who could bring an end to this and remained quiet.. they will always have blood on their hands. Praying every moment with a broken heart.”
Other prominent Pakistani celebrities have consistently used their platform to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticised Israel for targetting women and children with airstrikes. Ayesha Omar shared a picture of Gazan children holding the Palestinian flag and wrote in the caption: ‘Hoping and praying for an immediate ceasefire. May Allah ease the pain and suffering of all the innocent lives, especially children, in Gaza. May the truth always win. May Allah bless the souls of the ones who have lost their lives in this genocide. Ameen.”
Civilians around the world and human rights activists are staging protests outside US and Israeli embassies demanding an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where the death toll is now about to reach 6,000 — with 2,000 among them children. At protests, the rallying cry is: ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’. What does this phrase mean and why does it hold so much significance for the Palestinian civilians? We’ll decode it all here.
The phrase ‘From the river to the sea’ was officially endorsed by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1964, which called for a liberated Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, former Palestinian territories that are currently under forced occupation of Israel.
Since then, the chant has been widely used in pro-Palestinian protests as a demand for the end to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by Israel and also that they are handed back their land. However, Zionists have consistently tried to paint it as ‘Anti Semite’ chant by claiming it calls for the genocide of Israeli Jews. A tube driver of the London Underground Train was suspended from his position after a viral video showed him leading the chant ”Free Free Palestine”. Similarly, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed the chant was ‘anti semitic’, and was “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel.
Along with this phrase, another common thing spotted among Palestinian protests is the symbol of a watermelon, which is plastered on flags and posters as protestors condemn the growing death toll in Gaza.
In a few decades, future generations will come across a photo of German protesters sketching a slice of watermelon with “Free Palestine” written on it. What does watermelon have to do with Palestinian freedom? They will ask. The explanation will be that certain authoritarian… pic.twitter.com/Zao5dZnZGy
The watermelon became a powerful symbol of resistance during 1967 when Israel seized control over the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, during which the public display of the Palestinian flag was considered a criminal offence.
The symbolic relevance of the watermelon began in 1980 when Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour was arrested by Israeli officials along with Nabil Anani and Issam Badrl as well as their works, because they featured the colours of the Palestinian flag.
“They told us that painting the Palestinian flag was forbidden, but also the colours were forbidden. So Issam said, ‘What if I were to make a flower of red, green, black and white?’, to which the officer replied angrily, ‘It will be confiscated. Even if you paint a watermelon, it will be confiscated,’” Mansour revealed to The National in 2021.
Watermelons were also a popular fruit exported around the world before the Nakba, as Palestinian controlled valleys like the Jordan Valley, Jenin and Arabet Al-Batouf were well known for growing enormous watermelons. Hyperallergic writes after Israeli defence forces drove out Palestinians from their neighbourhoods and brought in their own seed companies, Palestinian watermelons still remained popular due to their size in countries like Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
Since then, Palestinian artists used the watermelon as a symbol of Palestinian independence to protest against Israel’s illegal occupation. Artists like Khaled Hourani crafted a silkscreen series titled ‘The Story Of The Watermelon’ (2007), which is a series of watermelon slices in front of a white background.
Hourani later went on to co-found the International Art Academy of Palestine along with Mansour and Anani. Speaking about the growing resurgence of the political symbolism behind the watermelon, he was happy at how the Palestinian cause was receiving attention:
“For me, it was kind of sudden. This is just one of my projects, which was not as successful or widespread as it is right now. It’s a unique kind of solidarity… It’s very powerful. I honestly don’t know how to deal with it. Some people are getting it as a tattoo, some are making patterns for clothes, putting it on flags, different mediums. I’m happy that it brings attention to the Palestinian cause.”
Speaking on the rise of social media support for Palestine, Hourani said:
“People around the world are standing up and saying that the occupation has to come to an end. This is a historical moment. As an artist, as a human being, I feel honoured that my work is being used as a tool or is a part of this driving force.”
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
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.
Urgent Appeal to the International Community
Palestine Red Crescent Society has just received a threat from the occupying authorities to bombard Al-Quds Hospital, and has demanded the hospitals’s immediate evacuation.
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.
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.”
With great sadness we mourn one of the most talented Gaza feminist poet and novelist, Heba Abu Nada. Her novel named, “Oxygen is not for the dead”. She wrote yesterday,”If we die, know that we are content and steadfast, and convey on our behalf that we are people of truth.”……..… pic.twitter.com/lcStUZN28q
— Abdalhadi Alijla عبد الهادي العجلة (@alijla2021) October 20, 2023
As social media users and human rights activists rally across the world for a free Palestine with an end to the genocide, several Twitter users in the past week were critical of Pakistani actresses who were silent. Mahira Khan was a target of such accusations when a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account went viral with users accusing her of playing both sides. The actress wrote about praying for peace and humanity to triumph over evil.
Prayers for those suffering.. those who have lost their children, their entire families, those who don’t have homes, those who are in pain every single second.. and especially for those who are ignorant and misinformed about the suffering around them. May the universe be kind to…
A user in the comments section slammed the actress for posting a vague message so that she can continue working in Hollywood, to which Mahira responded bluntly. “Uhhh I call it loud and clear. Sit down. Use your time to pray for Palestine.”
Uhhh I call it loud and clear. Sit down. use your time to pray for Palestine. https://t.co/1YVhNNxCKO
Over the past week, the ‘Humsafar’ actress has used her social media account to consistently share updates on the on-going genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has reached to 4200 civilians as reported by Al-Jazeera. She has also shared clips of activists and scholars who condemned Israel’s apartheid-like policies towards the Palestinian community.
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.’”
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.
“That’s not gonna happen, you cannot buy my morals.”
British TikTok influencer Cara Watson says an unnamed company tried to bribe her not to support Palestine. pic.twitter.com/xzgvELtiKS
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.
Targeting complicit companies can help stop Israel’s #GazaGenocide.#BDS calls for a boycott of Israeli and international companies that are complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, apartheid and other violations of Palestinian human rights.#BoycottIsraeliApartheidpic.twitter.com/TqI8Z1fl3E
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.
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.”
