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Tag: social media

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Responsible parenting everyone needs to take some good notes from!

    Veteran actress Saba Hamid was a guest on Maliha Rehman’s Youtube channel where she opened up about her childhood, especially the impact her late father, journalist Hameed Akhtar, had on her.

    “My father was a feminist,” described the actress, adding that “He was a big believer in equal rights till his last breath from day one.”

    Speaking about her family, the ‘Jaisay Apki Marzi’ actress said she was one of four daughters and obe son but her parents never made them feel like there was inequality between them on the basis of gender. Hamid elaborated how chores around the house that are generally male-oriented like calling the plumber, or driving, were taught to all the siblings. Her parents also didn’t put any restrictions on their daughters while allowing their son to stay out late. “I was scolded just as much as he was if he stayed out late.”

    These teachings, Saba observed, made her assume that the world would treat men and women equally the way her father had. But soon grew to realise that it was the opposite.

    The ‘Laal Ishq’ actress further opened up about how liberated her mother was, not seeking permission from their father to go anywhere because he gave her liberation. She spoke about her mother announcing to their father that she was visiting her sister in Islamabad for a day, and his reaction being simply “okay”.

    “We grew up thinking this is how it is, this is the way the world is. It was quite later I realised you had to seek permission from a partner to go somewhere.”

    We are completely moved by Saba’s account of her father and his gentle parenting that made her into the fierce woman she is today- and also helped her raise two phenomenally powerful individuals like Meesha and Faris Shafi. We hope more parents, especially fathers to newborn daughters, watch this clip and take a lesson in how giving girls independence can help them later in life.

  • Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    South Korean actor Park Seo-Joon is all set for his Hollywood debut with the superhero film ‘The Marvels’. The ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim’ actor will reprise the role of Prince Han, the poster released on Marvel’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shows.

    The film also stars ‘Ms Marvel’ star Iman Vellani, Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. It is all set for release on November 10. The official trailer was released on July 21.

    Park Seo-Joon has appeared in hit Korean dramas like ‘Fight For My Way’ and ‘Iteawon Class’.

  • Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    American-Palestinian supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid are receiving death threats after their vocal support for the liberation of Palestine. The siblings are known for expressing their anger towards Israel’s apartheid policies in Palestine. Bella also declared that she was not afraid of losing jobs act the cost of activism.

    According to TMZ, phone numbers of members of the Hadid family, including their father Mohammad Hadid, who was a survivor of the 1948 Nakba, brother Anwar, and mother Yolanda, were leaked. Spammers then sent them graphic descriptions of how they would murder them. Sources told the publication the family received threats through emails, social media as well as on phone calls, and the patriarch Mohammad is considering taking this up with the FBI.

    READ MORE: There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    A few days ago, Gigi Hadid was directly targeted by an official Instagram account associated with Israel. The account criticised her on her Instagram post calling out the difference between anti-zionism and anti-semitism. Gigi had earlier shared a neutral stance expressing her sorrow over the Israeli lives lost, as well as Palestinians, praying for peace to prevail.

    In a series of posts, the Israeli account criticised her for ignoring the fake news about 40 beheaded Israeli babies, which has since then been debunked by several publications.

    READ MORE: Israel official account attacks Gigi Hadid on Insta, gets crushed on Twitter

  • Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan along with 2000 artists call for ceasefire in Gaza

    Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan along with 2000 artists call for ceasefire in Gaza

    Renowned names like Tilda Swinton, Liam Cunningham and Charles Dance are among 2000 artists who have signed an open letter accusing their governments of involvement in Israel’s war on Gaza. The letter states that “the specter of death” hangs over the territory, as Israeli military bombed a Gaza hospital where more than 1000 people are reported dead.

    The letter includes producers, writers, architects, directors and comedians who accused their government of “not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them. There will come a time when they are held to account for their complicity. But for now, while condemning every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them, our obligation is to do all we can to bring an end to the unprecedented cruelty being inflicted on Gaza.”

    “Gaza is already a society of refugees and the children of refugees. Now, in their hundreds of thousands, bombarded from air, sea and land, Palestinians whose grandparents were forced out of their homes at the barrel of a gun are again being told to flee – or face collective punishment on an unimaginable scale.  Dispossessed of rights, described by Israel’s minister of defence as ‘human animals’, they have become people to whom almost anything can be done.”

    The letter ended with the signatories calling for their government to end military and political support for Israel’s actions, and for an immediate ceasefire to commence.

  • Israel official account attacks Gigi Hadid on Insta, gets crushed on Twitter

    Israel official account attacks Gigi Hadid on Insta, gets crushed on Twitter

    Last week, the official account of Israel drew backlash on X (formerly Twitter) when it attacked Pakistani cricket player Muhammad Rizwan after he dedicated his performance in the victory over Sri Lanka to the people of Gaza. On Monday, the official account of Israel on Instagram chose to target Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid for a statement she gave about Palestinian genocide. The model shared a post clarifying that supporting the Free Palestinian movement was not anti-semitic.

    The Israeli account shared Hadid’s post and wrote in the caption: “Have you been sleeping the past week? Or are you just turning a blind eye to Jewish babies being butchered in their homes. Your silence is clear about where you stand. We see you.”

    The ‘Jewish babies butchered’ story stems from unverified claims about 40 babies murdered by Hamas.

    READ MORE: Did Hamas actually decapitate Israeli children and women? No, they did not.

    However, the death toll of Palestinian children killed by Israeli strikes has crossed 1000, according to Defense For Children International Palestine.

    Twitter (or X) users were outraged over the blatant manner a Palestinian woman was being targeted on the internet. One user wrote: “i hope more people will see how disgusting it is for a state affiliated account to attack a celeb like this. she is palestinian, she stands with her own people, she knows what happened and they are afraid of that. stop harassing her and stop k!lling palestinians.”

    Many people were quick to remind other users that Gigi’s father, Mohammad Hadid, was forcibly expelled along with his family during the 1948 Nakba. In a podcast, Mohammad Hadid revealed his family was not allowed to go back to their home in Safa after the expulsion.

    READ MORE: There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

  • Jemima publicly scolds brother Ben Goldsmith over Palestine genocide comments

    Jemima publicly scolds brother Ben Goldsmith over Palestine genocide comments

    British screenwriter and producer Jemima Goldsmith drew backlash last week over her neutral stance on Palestine genocide, getting criticised for refusing to condemn the brutality of the Israeli military.

    However, on Tuesday, Khan took to social media to condemn her brother, British financier and environmentalist Ben Goldsmith, tweets. Goldsmith, a vocal proponent of Israel, has criticised growing pro-Palestinian support in the UK. Ben shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) calling out the irony of Arabic countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt condemning Israel while treating their own civilians in the same manner. However, Jemima responded in the comments saying:

    “On the contrary- Many of us have repeatedly called attention to the bombing of Yemenis by the Saudis. You just didn’t notice or care. Why do some innocent lives count more than others?”

    Ben later shared another tweet, saying: “Can anyone out there point me towards any genuine and rational suggestions from the pro Hamas, sorry pro Palestine mob as to what exactly Israel should have done in the wake of the atrocities inflicted on Israeli civilians last week? I’ve seen none. Clearly they can’t dismantle the borders and welcome the terrorists in. And they can’t very well do nothing either: There’s no country in the world that would do nothing. So what are they to do exactly? Answers on a postcard please.”

    To which Jemima responded by sharing a video of a retired Israeli soldier openly advocating to slaughter Palestinian women and children

    She further responded his comments writing: “No one really believes – least of all you- that flattening Gaza, killing 1000 innocent children (so far) will save hostages or bring peace.”

    Social media users applauded Jemima’s vicious take down of her brother’s comments. One user wrote: “Jemima schooling her brother publicly is a definitely queen shit.”

  • Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour film’ is the top grossing concert film in the US

    Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour film’ is the top grossing concert film in the US

    Look what you made her do

    Taylor Swift has broken records with her concert film ‘Eras Tour’ to be declared the highest grossing concert film of all time in the US. According to distributers AMC Entertainment, domestic earnings for the film were between $95 million to $97 million for the opening weekend.

    The film has already surpassed previous concert films like Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’, which made $73 million on its opening weekend, and Miley Cyrus’s ‘Best Of Both World’s Tour’.

    According to CNBC, ‘Eras Tour’ was declared to be the highest grossing October debut, defeating the 2019 Joaquin Phoenix film ‘Joker’ which made $96.2 million on its opening weekend domestically.

    Internationally, ‘Eras Tour’ has made $32 million, and was number one at the box office in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Germany and the Philippines.