Tag: #palestine

  • ‘If Israel does not stop massacre of Palestinians, we cannot be there’: Colombia warns

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned Israel about breaking off diplomatic ties if the country does not stop attacks in the Gaza Strip.

    Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel on Tuesday.

    “I have decided to recall our ambassador to Israel for consultations. If Israel does not stop the massacre of the Palestinian people, we cannot be there,” Petro said on X.

    “Now the neo-Nazis want the destruction of the Palestinian people, freedom, and culture,” he wrote in X.

    “If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we suspend them,” he said on X. “We do not support genocides.”

    His stance led to a reaction from US Embassy in Bogota: “We are dismayed to see Colombian President Gustavo Petro compare the Israeli government with Hitler’s genocidal regime. We strongly condemn your statements and ask that you condemn Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, for the callous murders of Israeli men, women and children.”

  • Bolivia cuts ties with Israel

    Bolivia cuts ties with Israel

    In the light of the latest developments in the Gaza strip where Israel is proceeding with its military operations, killing more than 8,000 people, Bolivia’s government has announced on Tuesday that its breaking diplomatic ties with Israel.

    Bolivia “has decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced at a press conference.

    Bolivia also called for a cease-fire and an end to “the blockade that prevents the entry of food, water and other essential elements for life.”

    Interim Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada asserted that the press conference had been held “in reference to the crimes against humanity being committed in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people.”

    Last time Bolivia had cut diplomatic ties with Israel was in 2009 under the leftist President Evo Morales, also in protest of atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza. But in 2020, the right-wing government of interim President Jeanine Anez reestablished ties.

    Morales, on social media, urged the current President Luis Arce to condemn Israel and to deem it a terrorist state.

    Previously, on Monday, Arce had a meeting with the Palestinian ambassador to Bolivia after which he had posted, “We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law,”.

  • Al-Quds hospital under threat, thousands of people in danger: What we know about day 25

    Continuous attacks near Al-Quds Hospital

    The Palestine Red Crescent Society has been updating about the incessant artillery and air strikes in the Tal al-Hawa area in northern Gaza in the area where Al-Quds Hospital is situated.

    “The building is trembling and the displaced civilians and the working crews are experiencing fear and panic,” they reported on social media.

    Hundreds of patients and more than 12,000 displaced Gazans are being sheltered in Al-Quds.

    Israel has called for the evacuation of the hospital as they are likely to attack it — which human rights experts deem as a blatant war crime.

    Israel using white phosphorus in attacks in South Lebanon: Amnesty

    Rights group, Amnesty International has confirmed that “the Israeli army indiscriminately, and therefore unlawfully, used white phosphorous in an attack on Dhayra, in south Lebanon, on October 16.”

    “The attack must be investigated as a war crime,” Amnesty International posted on X.

    Countries in conversation

    Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud stressed the need for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” as he met with US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington on Monday.

    The White House, on the other hand, reportedly said Sullivan “confirmed President [Joe] Biden’s commitment to support the defence of US partners against threats from state and non-state actors, including those backed by Iran”.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani about increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza on an emergency basis.

    So far, at least four captives have been released from Gaza through Qatari mediation.

    According to the Axios news, the head of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, visited Doha, to discuss the possible release of more hostages.

    31 journalists killed

    The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 31 journalists have been killed in Israel-Palestine escalation.

    Among the killed are 26 Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese.

    Eight journalists have been said to be injured, nine journalists are reported missing or detained.

    As per the report, more journalists have died in the current escalation than in any other conflict since 1992.

    300 targets attacked in Gaza

    About 300 targets have been attacked overnight in Gaza, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly claimed.

    60 Palestinians arrested in occupied West Bank

    At least 60 Palestinians have been arrested across the occupied West Bank, according to the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Society Prisoner’s Club.

    Al Jazeera quotes that they have claimed “Arrests are accompanied with torture and abusive attacks against detainees and their families, as well as the policy of collective punishment, destroying property,”

    Since October 7, 1,740 arrest cases have been documented in the occupied West Bank.

  • ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    Hollywood actress and singer Selena Gomez was slammed by social media users online after her neutral take on the ongoing Gaza genocide. Al-Jazeera reports that intense bombing continue to target Gaza with the death toll already crossing 8000 including more than 3000 children.

    Selena, whose Instagram following stands at 430 million, shared a statement on her stories writing she was heartbroken to witness the horror, naming neither Palestine nor Israel:

    “I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect all people, especially children and stop the violence for good.”

    The last comment, “I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t,” triggered outrage.

    “selena gomez is being so stupid right now. she is downplaying her massive following and being hypocritical. if a post can’t help change the world why call yourself a philanthropist?? why post about mental health, blm, womens rights, american elections etc etc” a user wrote.

    Many compared the ‘Only Murders In The Building’ actor’s response to the Ukraine war to this, criticising her for not considering brown lives as important as white ones.

    Others criticised the actress for responding in the same tone-deaf manner in 2016 when she was criticised over her silence on the Black Lives Matter protests.

    Many criticised the statement for being incredibly tone-deaf, pointing out the actress was privileged enough to take a break from social media during the genocide but people in Gaza couldn’t turn away from the violence.

  • After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    Bollywood star Bipasha Basu has lent her voice to the growing call of protestors demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza. Al-Jazeera reports that almost 8000 civilians have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, with more than 3000 children among them.

    The actress shared a picture showing two children crying next to their dead mother, surrounded by destroyed buildings. In the caption it was written: “No war or religion can be bigger than countless innocent lives.”

    These are babies..” begged Bipasha. “Irrespective of any religion have some mercy.”

    Sonam Kapoor sent her support to the Palestinians when she shared two pictures on her Instagram stories spreading awareness of the countless children who were butchered during the Israeli strikes. Sonam shared a post from a column written in The New York Times codenmning the one-sided coverage of major publications that ignored the trauma of Palestinian babies.

    READ MORE: Sonam Kapoor speaks out for Palestine, other prominent Bollywood celebrities silent

    Other Bollywood actors have remained majorly silent about the Gaza genocide. While a viral tweet from Shah Rukh Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account from 2014 went viral where he condemned the murder of little children.

  • 3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    Children in Gaza

    Save the Children has reported that more children have died in Gaza in the past three weeks than the annual total killed in conflicts across the globe every year since 2019.

    Their report, issued on Sunday, revealed that at least 3,324 children have been killed in Gaza since October 7 and 36 in the occupied West Bank.

    Reports from the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict have stated that a total of 2,985 children were killed in 24 countries in 2022; 2,515 in 2021, and 2,674 in 2020 across 22 countries.

    3,195 children killed in #Gaza in just three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed across the world’s conflict zones since 2019. We are calling for an immediate ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/vrEQ846tPB— Save the Children International (@save_children) October 29, 2023

    Israel’s ground operation in Gaza

    Al Jazeera has highlighted the news briefing of an Israeli army spokesperson which reveals that their army has proceeded with ground operation with additional forces and tanks, while infantry goes further into the Gaza Strip. Additionally, ground forces are supported by air raids.

    Dozens of alleged Hamas fighters have reportedly been killed overnight.

    This ground offensive is said to escalate with time.

    Large number of arrests in occupied West Bank:

    Israeli air raid targeted “several” alleged Hamas fighters in refugee camp in Jenin, arresting dozens belonging to armed groups.

    700 people, who are said to be Hamas fighters, have reportedly been arrested in the occupied territories since October 7.

    As of yet, a total of at least 1,070 suspects have been taken into custody.

    Al-Quds hospital in danger

    Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is currently under threat of an Israeli attack.

    According to Al Jazeera Arabic, medical staff and patients at al-Quds Hospital.

    While everyone is expected to evacuate the premises, the staff does not have a place to go to. They add that there are no available hospitals to transfer patients to, especially amid continuous Israeli attacks.

    Al-Quds hospital is sheltering 12,000 displaced Gazans and catering to hundreds of patients.

  • Hilary Clinton gets slammed online for saying ceasefire ‘not an option’

    Hilary Clinton gets slammed online for saying ceasefire ‘not an option’

    After Barack Obama, former United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has come out in support of Israel in her latest address.

    “People who are calling for a ceasefire now do not understand Hamas, that is not possible,” Clinton remarked at a public talk.

    “It would be such a gift to Hamas because they would spend whatever time there was a ceasefire in effect rebuilding armaments, creating stronger positions to be able to fend off an eventual assault by the Israelis,” she added.

    Clinton also asserted that “We are in a very different world. I don’t think it had to be the world we’re in, but that’s where we are, and we have to figure out our way forward through it.”

    People react:

  • ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    The call to ban actress Gal Gadot from working in Hollywood has reached unprecedented heights. Social media users are now vowing to boycott her upcoming film ‘Snow White’ where she plays the evil stepmother. Gal Gadot, an Israeli national, has previously worked in the IDF. She was also among the several Hollywood actors who wrote a controversial open letter denouncing the October 7 attack on Israel which did not condemn the growing death toll in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes.

    The Hollywood actress was recently part of a panel slamming the Palestinian protests, that have called for an end to the genocide in Gaza where now 8000 civilians are dead.

    “But I ask myself what has happened to humanity?” Gal could be heard saying. “Why do we need to convince people that it is not okay when others are asking for a ceasefire?”

    Twitter users were shocked at Gal’s insensitive comment and were all in favor of watching her Hollywood career end.

    Users are calling for a boycott of Snow White and for audiences to stop purchasing products made by Disney. Disney was previously embroiled in controversy after the organisation declared its support for Israel and donated $2 million dollars.

    “remember that gal gadot served in the idf (so she is a murderer) and was miss israel 2004 (is proud to represent murderers). disney money goes toward funding israel. to hell with every person involved in this production and every person who supports it. BOYCOTT,” one user wrote.

    The casting of Snow White was overshadowed with controversy after Peter Dinklage called out the production house in 2022 for choosing to adapt a film with offensive stereotypes towards people with dwarfism.

    “You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that f*****g backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave. What the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,” Peter said as quoted by The Guardian.

    Recently, a picture featuring Rachel as Snow White and seven dwarfs surrounding her was criticised by the internet. Users alleged that it looked like one actor, Martin Klebba, had played all the seven dwarfs in CGI versions.

  • Israeli actress slaps child during Palestine protest; internet finds her

    Israeli actress slaps child during Palestine protest; internet finds her

    Israeli-American actress Edian Atias was recorded on video on Sunday, assaulting a child for protesting for Palestine. In a viral video, the Zionist was seen giving threating the boy infront of his family and friends.

    The Zionist’s personal details were leaked online by the internet, who found out she is an actress in New York.

    A user leaked her Linkedin account details online as well

    The incident is among the recent rise of hate crimes committed against Palestinians and protestors currently advocating for an end to the genocide in Gaza. Six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times by his neighbour who, in a fit of rage, accused the family of spreading terrorism in the country. Just one day ago, Pakistani-American doctor Dr Talat Jehan Khan was murdered by a man in Texas. The case is under investigation.

    Twitter users, including actress Nadia Jamil, expressed their outrage at assaulting a child.

  • Angelina Jolie donates for Gaza, calls for ceasefire

    Angelina Jolie donates for Gaza, calls for ceasefire

    Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie has joined growing calls demanding a ceasefire in Gaza as the death toll from Israeli bombing climbs past 8000, including 3000 children.

    The ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ actress wrote that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic: “nowhere to go, no access to food or water, no possibility of evacuation, and not even the basic human right to cross a border to seek refuge.”

    Angelina went on to reflect on her 20- years of experience working with refugees and stressed on how urgent it is to help those being displaced by violence.

    “Gaza has a population of over 2 million people (half of them are children), who have lived under a severe blockade for over two decades, on top of decades of displacement and statelessness. The few aid trucks that are entering are a fraction of what is needed (and was delivered daily before the present conflict), and the bombings are causing desperate new humanitarian needs daily.”

    The actress ended the note by revealing she had donated to Doctors Without Borders, and urged her followers to do the same.