gaza
Annie Lennox is reflecting on the mass tragedies that have unfolded in the Middle East since Hamas launched its deadliest attack yet on Israel exactly one year ago.
Sharing a series of infographics via Instagram on Monday (Oct. 7), the politically outspoken musician took a moment to mourn all the casualties that have occurred over the past 12 months — from the 1,200-plus Israelis who lost their lives when Hamas descended on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to the countless Palestinians (Associated Press estimates more than 41,000) who have died in Israel’s war efforts against the terrorist organization in the year since.
“This is a heavy day – one year after the events that were to create a ‘tipping point’ in this decades long situation of discord and brutality,” Lennox wrote. “I had always hoped things might change for the better.. but tragically – that is not the case. On Oct 7th 2024 we are looking at a potential ‘forever war’ situation, with the entire Middle Eastern region on the brink of being completely drawn into it.
“Today’s career politicians have no moral compass and the ‘never again’ understanding has evaporated in plain sight, with ‘human rights’ shredded into pieces,” she continued. “We humans are capable of tremendous achievements and indescribable atrocities.”
The Eurythmics frontwoman also encouraged followers to “reflect upon the sanctity of life..and the qualities of peace, compassion and empathy.”
“I am for ceasefire and peace,” she added in the comments. “That is ALL I call for. I deplore anti – Semitism as much as I deplore the killing, wounding and continuous displacement of children, women and innocent Palestinian civilians.
“And of COURSE I want to see the innocent hostages returned safely to their families,” Lennox concluded. “This tragically doesn’t seem to be a priority for [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu and his government.”
As the “Sweet Dreams” artist pointed out, the violence in Gaza has been unrelenting since the Oct. 7 attacks. As Israelis gathered to pay tribute to the people they lost that day with memorial services Monday, AP reports that Hamas was simultaneously firing rockets at Israel alongside Hezbollah, an allied militant organization from Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to assail both Gaza and Lebanon as tensions mount with Iran, and Palestinians are facing rampant hunger and homelessness across the country.
Lennox is far from the first musician who has supported a ceasefire amid the crisis. Dua Lipa, Paramore, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Reneé Rapp, Hozier, Muna and more have also all called for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, while Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert and several more stars signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter to President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in October 2023.
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Ta-Nehisi Coates has attracted controversy and discussion given his decades as a reporter and writer who tackles themes as carefully as one can without pulling punches when necessary. In a recent appearance on CBS News’ morning program, Ta-Nehisi Coates engaged in what appeared to be an intense debate with co-host Tony Dokoupil regarding a segment in his book that touches on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Ta-Nehisi Coates was on CBS Mornings to discuss his newest book, The Message, a trio of essays regarding the writer’s visits to Senegal, South Carolina, and the Israel-Gaza region and draws some significant parallels to the idea of what it means to belong.
Tony Dokoupil, who seemingly angled to dominate the segment with his questioning, went on the offensive by framing Coates’ book as something you would in the backpack of an anti-Israeli extremist. It should be noted that Dokoupil’s ex-wife and his two older children are living in Israel currently and he is currently married to Katy Tur, who is of Jewish descent.
Coates gamely took on the challenge of attempting to explain himself in the face of Dokoupil’s critiques of his work.
“You write a book that delegitimizes the pillars of Israel. It seems like an effort to topple the whole building of it,” Dokoupil said. “So I come back to the question, and it’s what I struggled with throughout this book, what is it that so particularly offends you about the existence of a Jewish state that is a Jewish safe place and not any of the other states out there?”
Coates answered, “There’s nothing that offends me about a Jewish state. I am offended by the idea of states built on ethnocracy, no matter where they are. I would not want a state where any group of people lay down their citizenship rights based on ethnicity. The country of Israel is a state in which half the population exist on one tier of citizenship and everybody else that’s ruled by Israelis exist on another tier, including Palestinian Israeli citizens. The only people that exist on that first tier are Israeli Jews. Why do we support that? Why is that okay? I’m the child of Jim Crow. I’m the child of people that were born into a country where that was exactly the case, of American apartheid.”
It didn’t appear that any stance Ta-Nehisi Coates took satisfied the curiosities Tony Dokoupil and co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson remained oddly quiet during the segment. The moment has caused a stir online and probably deserves far more nuance than we have the space to examine here. That said, a larger discussion should arise from this considering both gentlemen had points to make but couldn’t be exhaustive in their explanations.
Keep scrolling to see reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: NurPhoto / Getty
Vice President Kamala Harris had a confrontational moment with Gaza war protesters at her campaign rally, with some division on social media over her response.
On Wednesday (August 7), Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a campaign rally held in Detroit, Michigan. As she spoke before the crowd of 15,000 gathered in a hangar at Detroit Metro Airport, a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters began shouting to interrupt her. “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide,” they chanted, “We won’t vote for genocide.” Harris looked to move on while acknowledging the group, saying: “I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now.” The crowd cheered, and she began to talk about the threat of Donald Trump being re-elected when the protesters interrupted again. The vice president raised her hands up at that point. “You know what,” she said firmly, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.” She stared directly at the protesters as the audience cheered louder, chanting “We’re not going back”. The protesters were then escorted out of the venue.
The moment was a contrast to a meeting that Harris and her presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had with Uncommitted National Movement founders Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed (the sister of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib) before the rally. The Arab-American group mobilized to withhold 100,000 votes from President Joe Biden in the Michigan primary over his stance backing Israel in its 10-month war against Hamas in Gaza. Alawieh said that he “felt an openness from V.P. Harris, as well as a listening ear from Governor Walz”.In a statement, Harris’ campaign team “reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities.”
The confrontation at the rally left some on social media divided. Some felt Harris’ response was too flippant. Columnist Wajahat Ali wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that her team needed to prep her to have a better response: “You can’t mock it away. Just have a line ready that at least acknowledges you hear them.” Others noted how the protesters seemed more willing to attack Democrats but not Donald Trump and other Republicans. One X user by the name of Colorfullstory wrote: “Explain it to me like I’m 5…Why are they protesting the person calling for a ceasefire but not the person saying Israel should finish the job?”
Take a look at the responses to the campaign rally moment below.
1. Karen Attiah
2. Qasim Rashid
3. Yair Rosenberg
5. Dr. T. Anansi Wilson
6. Queen Zenobia
7. DMC0281
8. Ernest Owens
9. Roland Martin
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Source: Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers / Getty
Rocker Dave Matthews joined the pro-Palestinian protests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke before Congress in Washington D.C.
On Wednesday (July 24), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech before a joint session of members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol. His appearance was denounced by a massive crowd protesting the treatment of the Palestinian people during the war in Gaza. They were joined by one notable figure – musician Dave Matthews. He spoke to a reporter from Al-Jazeera during the protests. “I just think it’s terrible when the majority of the world is looking at this man and what he’s doing in Gaza and then also what he’s overseeing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem [and] we’re welcoming [him] into the so-called sacred halls of our government,” he began.
“This has been an ongoing struggle for people that just want to have dignity and be able to live independent lives and dream of a better future,” he continued. “And this man is the pinnacle of the obstacle toward that freedom and that we have [him] visiting the country is obscene. It’s a disgusting show of support for someone that doesn’t deserve our support.” The “Crash Into Me” singer concluded: “I’m ashamed that my tax dollars are going to the brutalizing of an entire people. It’s shameful. And I’m ashamed that our government is welcoming him here.”
Netanyahu’s speech was controversial for multiple reasons. While he praised President Joe Biden initially, he soon turned to heap praise on former President Donald Trump “for all he’s done for Israel.” Netanyahu has long been a supporter of Republican and conservative causes. He also made no direct mention of ongoing efforts led by the U.S. to obtain a ceasefire with the Hamas organization and the release of hundreds of Israeli hostages or that he’d be willing to agree. Netanyahu also denounced the protests on college campuses against him, calling those involved “Iran’s useful idiots.” He also faced opposition from most of the Democrats, with Michigan representative and Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib holding up a sign reading “War Criminal” throughout his speech.
Netanyahu is currently facing arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes against the Palestinians during the conflict, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, with over 1,200 Israelis and 39,000 Palestinians killed in addition to other foreign nationals working with the United Nations and Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty
In the wake of Israel’s recent airstrikes in southern Gaza, the phrase “All Eyes On Rafah” has taken over social media, with mixed support and criticism from users.Over the past week, the phrase “All Eyes On Rafah” has dominated social media trending topics. It was spurred on by the news of Israel’s military committing airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip near the Egyptian border, where millions of Palestinians already displaced by Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Hamas militant organization have fled.
An AI-generated image of dozens of tents side by side in a serene desert landscape with structures in the center spelling out the phrase has been circulated more than 40 million times on Instagram alone. Numerous celebrities including comedian Hasan Minhaj have also shared the image through their social media accounts.
The origins of the phrase lie in the comments made by Richard “Rik” Peeperkorn, the head of the World Health Organization’s offices in Gaza and the West Bank region at a news conference as the Israeli Defense Forces began to ramp up its strikes in southern Gaza. Pro-Palestinian groups and activists began to use “All Eyes On Rafah” in their messaging in addition to humanitarian groups such as Oxfam. The AI image might’ve gained such traction because it isn’t “massively dangerous or controversial”, according to social media consultant Matt Navarra in an interview with Sky News.
The current wave comes after a deadly strike on Sunday (May 26) hit an encampment of displaced Palestinians, setting tents on fire and killing 45 people, according to medics on the ground. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “tragic incident” as world leaders including the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres blasted the action in a post on X, formerly Twitter saying, “This horror must stop.”
The “All Eyes On Rafah” image has drawn criticism from some online, who feel that more accurate and graphic images of the violence and suffering of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians should be shown to the public. Others have felt that sharing the AI-generated image is engaging in “slacktivism”, conspicuously showing support for a cause but not actually taking real steps to help.
But others see it as useful to draw more attention to the cries of the Palestinian people.
We’ve collected notable responses from users on social media to provide a clearer picture of the issue below.
1. Shayan Saridarzadeh
2. Myxaslytherin
3. Georgia Kumari Bradburn
4. sulkycatz
5. Jason Okundaye
6. Majid Jordan
7. Sam Missingham
8. International Rescue Committee
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Source: Noam Galai / Getty
Students at Duke University walked out on the commencement speech by Jerry Seinfeld over his pro-Israel stance on the war in Gaza.
On Sunday (May 12), comedian Jerry Seinfeld was introduced at the commencement at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Before rising to speak, about 30 graduates got up and walked out during the introductory remarks by Duke University President Vincent Price, with chants of “Free, Free Palestine” being heard as they left the stadium mixed in with booing from some of the 7,000 in attendance. They were protesting Seinfeld’s presence as well as the school’s investment in Israel, calling for Duke to divest.
Seinfeld has been more vocal about his support of Israel and their military’s response to the attacks by the Hamas militant group on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in hundreds of Israeli people killed with over 300 hostages taken. The Israeli Defense Forces’ attacks have been blamed for the reported deaths of almost 35,000 Palestinians and other civilians including aid workers. The comedian’s stance (including social media posts and a trip to Tel Aviv last December) has brought him heavy backlash as he was on campus to receive an honorary doctorate. “I don’t preach about it,” he said in an interview with GQ. “I have my personal feelings about it that I discuss privately. It’s not part of what I can do comedically, but my feelings are very strong.”
The students who walked out, with some carrying the Palestinian flag, made their way to a green space on campus where they were greeted by parents and faculty members who gave them a makeshift ceremony. Back at Wallace Wade Stadium, Seinfeld regaled the crowd while only hinting at the protesters by saying he admired their commitment to inclusivity but felt “it is worth the sacrifice of occasional discomfort to have some laughs.”
The protests by college students over the war in Gaza have led to increased tensions with over 2,900 arrested at 57 collegiate institutions nationwide. Some of the incidents were sparked by agitators involved in pro-Israel counterprotests such as one that took place at UCLA last month – that one was promoted by Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, who publicized her donations to the organizing group. She would go on to denounce the violence that took place afterward.
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Macklemore released a song supporting the collegiate protests decrying the war in Gaza, with proceeds going to relief efforts.
On Monday night (May 6), Macklemore surprised the public with the release of “Hind’s Hall”, a new single inspired by the protests taking place on college campuses nationwide in solidarity with the Palestinian people and decrying the raging war in Gaza. The name of the song comes from the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia University in New York City which was occupied by student protesters and renamed “Hind’s Hall” in tribute to Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed during an attack by Israeli Defense Forces earlier this year.
The artist shared it on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Once it’s up on streaming, all proceeds going to UNRWA.” UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. In the video, Macklemore calls out those aiding the ongoing attacks by the IDF as footage of law enforcement officers clearing out campus encampments plays: “Block the barricade until Palestine is free/ When I was seven, I learnt a lesson from [Ice Cube and Eazy-E/ What was it again? Oh yeah, f—- the police.” He even chimed in on the current Kendrick Lamar/Drake battle in chiding other artists for their silence on the matter: The music industry’s quiet, complicit in their platform of silence/What happened to the artist, what do you got to say?/ If I was on a label you could drop me today/ And be fine with it ’cause the heart fed my page/ I want a ceasefire, fuck a response from Drake.”
The 40-year-old has been active in the protests denouncing the actions of the Israeli government and military since the conflict with Hamas began on October 7, 2023. Macklemore took part in a pro-Palestine rally last December, and explained his position on social media: When I say ‘Free Palestine,’ it’s not against anyone,” he began. “It actually means we should protect everyone. It means equality for all. Respect, peace, and love. It means the right to exist, regardless of what sector you’re from.
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Source: Anadolu / Getty
Student-led protests on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have led to increased tensions with administrators and arrests.
Protests supporting the Palestinian people in the Gaza region of Israel during the nation’s conflict with the Hamas terror organization on college campuses such as Columbia University in New York City have become highly intense within the last few days. The school is the home of the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” erected last week by student protesters. The protests have riled up those for the Palestinians and those supporting Israel, leading Columbia President Dr. Minouche Shafik to initiate hybrid classes for the rest of the semester, which began Monday (April 22).
“Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus,” she wrote in a statement, calling for a “reset” due to the Passover holiday and citing the concerns of Jewish students who said that they were being intimidated by the pro-Palestinian protesters and were hit with antisemitic threats. “Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken,” Shafik continued. The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine group issued their statement, saying that they “firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry” and their criticisms are of Israel’s government.
Tensions at the encampment hit a fever pitch over the weekend as the New York Police Department arrested close to 100 protesters at the encampment, with dozens of students at Columbia and Barnard being suspended and barred from school housing including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Barnard has since offered an olive branch to those suspended, offering to lift them for students, acknowledging many had “not previously engaged in misconduct.” Republican federal lawmakers and Jewish groups, however, are in opposition to these moves and are calling for stricter punishment and protection of Jewish students.
The spirit of the protests has spread to other colleges – New York University and Yale University also saw encampments go up in solidarity with those at Columbia and Barnard. To date, there are encampments of protesters supporting the Palestinian people at 15 university campuses nationwide. Faculty members at New York University and Yale were arrested after police said they denied requests to leave. There is also a growing shift in public opinion, as polls are showing most Americans disapprove of Israel’s handling of the war that began after Oct. 7, 2023.
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Source: MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images / Getty
Protesters angry over the war in Gaza shut down the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as part of a day of action worldwide.
On Monday (April 15), the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, became the scene of a major protest by those opposed to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Protesters accessed the bridge from the southbound side at 7:30 a.m. local time, blocking the travel lanes on the bridge by chaining themselves to each other, using tubes in what’s referred to as a “sleeping dragon” method. Some protesters held up a banner that read, “Stop the world for Gaza” in capital letters.
The morning commute was brought to a standstill, with law enforcement clearing the protesters and reopening the bridge at 12:15 p.m. Before it was cleared up, traffic was backed up into Marin County on the southbound 101 highway. The California Highway Patrol told members of the press that 26 of the protesters present were arrested for multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, false imprisonment, refusal to comply with a lawful order, resisting arrest and conspiracy.
Some drivers caught up in the traffic jam caused by the protest boiled over into frustration, with one confrontation being caught on camera. “We’re just trying to get home or work, everyone’s just mad,” said one driver, Aung Zin. “I think this is the only way people will listen but at the same time, I wish there was a resolution around it.” Another driver spoke about their frustration as the protests blocked them from arriving for a medical procedure. “I’m headed to the city for stem cell replacement. They’re frozen I have to get there before they thaw. I’m feeling frustrated, I support the right for people to protest but if It causes thousands of people disturbance, it isn’t the right way to go about it,” said Rachel McKim.
The protest was part of A15, a day of action initiating a worldwide economic blockade to display solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who have suffered over 30,000 lives lost and to call for the end of aid to Israel by the United States. It was set for Monday to coincide with it being the final day for U.S. citizens to submit their taxes. Other protests occurred on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, as well as at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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Chef José Andrés announced that members of his nonprofit World Central Kitchen were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.
On Monday evening (April 1), the celebrity chef and esteemed humanitarian José Andrés announced that several members of his World Central Kitchen were killed in the Gaza Strip in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Today, @WCK lost several of our brothers and sisters in an IDF air strike in Gaza,” he wrote, using the abbreviation for the Israeli Defense Forces. “I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family. These are people…angels…I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They are not faceless…they are not nameless.” The incident places more pressure on Israel, which has been accused of overly aggressive actions since its conflict with Hamas began on October 7, 2023.
In his post, Andrés concluded: “The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing. It needs to stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon.” According to reports, the World Central Kitchen said that its seven workers and a Palestinian driver were traveling in a “deconflicted zone” in two armored cars bearing its logo. The vehicles were hit after leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in the central area of the region. The nationalities of those killed also included a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, an Australian, and citizens of Poland and Canada. They had already arranged for travel with the Israeli military forces in the area before setting out.
The World Central Kitchen, which the 57-year-old chef founded in 2010, deploys in areas devastated by social and environmental disasters with members cooking and delivering meals to those in need. On Tuesday (April 2), it announced that it would pause aid operations in the area. “This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war,” the organization’s CEO, Erin Gore, said in a statement. “This is unforgivable.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the incident in a video statement on Tuesday, saying in Hebrew “This happens in war,” before adding that the government is investigating and “will do everything so that thing does not happen again.”