Palestine
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Macklemore is no stranger to using his massive platform to throw his support behind causes that are important to him. In a recent benefit concert in support of the residents of Palestine, Macklemore uttered a strong “F*ck America” statement during his set.
As reported by Rolling Stone India, Macklemore was performing in his home state of Washington over the weekend. The “Thrift Shop” star dropped the pro-Palestinian track “Hind’s Hall” earlier this year in celebration of the students who led protests at Columbia University in New York that took over Hamilton Hall to honor the life and legacy of Hind Rajab, an elementary school-aged girl who was killed during the Israel-Hamas conflict that still rages today.
In a sequel track, “Hind’s Hall 2,” Macklemore doubled down on the anti-Israel stance with a song that was created to benefit UNRWA USA, an organization established to help Palestinian refugees.
During his set in Seattle over the weekend, the artist born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty rocked the Palestine Will Live Forever benefit concert in Kent, Wash. and a journalist by the name of Cam Higby captured the moment in question. The video has since made its rounds on social media with many equating the rapper’s stances as anti-semitic and anti-American, with harsh critique following.
According to Macklemore’s Facebook page regarding the benefit concert, proceeds from the event at Seward Park Amphitheater will be spread among several other organizations in support of Palestinian refugees.
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Photo: Getty
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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
More and more celebrities are speaking up amid devastating violence, genocide and famine in Palestine, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lizzo took to Instagram on Monday (May 13) to join the conversation. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I just want to take a second […]
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Source: Mat Hayward / Getty
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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An Israeli MMA fighter has taken credit for Ye aka Kanye West’s name on a military missile, bragging about it on social media.
Kanye West has become a part of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with his name having been scrawled onto a missile of the Israel Defense Forces.
An MMA fighter from Israel, Haim Gozali, claimed responsibility for the deed in a post made on X, formerly Twitter on Sunday (December 24). The post shows a picture of missiles, with one prominently displayed showing the message “Kanye West flying to Gaza Haim Gozali” on it. “You don’t like us Jewish. So we don’t like you too !!!”, the caption from Gozali’s post read.
The post was first made from the 50-year-old’s backup account, as Gozali had gotten his main account suspended from the social media platform for a week due to posting a photo of bombs emblazoned with the names of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kazmat Chiamev, Belal Muhammed and Islam Makhachev.
The four fighters are all Muslim and have vocally expressed support for the people of Palestine. Gozali’s caption for that post read, “This is from me to the [rat emoji.” Gozali would repost the Kanye West photo through his main account after his suspension ended.
Gozali is a fifth-degree black belt jiu-jitsu practitioner who currently fights in Bellator MMA’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He has served in the IDF previously, although there aren’t details on which unit it was in.
The fighter has been consistently vocal in his support of Israel, which has been waging war on the Hamas militant organization after a terror attack on October 7 which killed 1200 Israelis with 240 hostages being taken. In response, Israel’s military has operated daily air and artillery strikes in the Gaza region which have reportedly claimed over 20,000 lives according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
West, who has had a history of of antisemitic remarks dating back to last October when he first sent out the message “going death con 3 On Jewish people” on X, issued an apology in Hebrew on his Instagram page. The rapper’s apology was picked up on by Gozali, who has been reposting all news items about the bomb dedicated to the rapper on his X account.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Cardi B
If you’re a political hopeful or veteran hoping for a Cardi B endorsement, it’s not coming. The Bronx rapper is washing her hands of politics.
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper is fed up with the current political system and expressed her frustrations during an Instagram Live session.
Cardi B, who has always been quite vocal about politics and what is happening in the country and globally, was BIG MAD about NYC Mayor Eric Adam’s proposed budget cuts.
Mayor Mixxy’s 5% budget cuts will affect a bunch of NYC departments to help compensate for the billions of dollars that the city has to spend to take care of asylum seekers who have come to the city.
The New York Post reports that Adams plans to cut $32 million from the sanitation department, $74 million from the FDNY, and $547 million from the Department of Education.
Adams will also be getting rid of a bunch of street garbage cans in the outer boroughs, and 34 popular cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History will see their budgets cut by $6 million, according to the New York Post.
Mayor Adams Reasoning For The Severe Cuts
Regardless of there being a legitimate reason for the severe cuts, the Grammy Award-winning artist is not here for them, claiming things like the city will be “drowning in rats” (that’s been a problem forever) due to cuts to sanitation and crime will “go through the roof” because of the cuts coming to the NYPD.
“In New York, there is a $120m budget cut that’s going to affect schools, public libraries, and the police department. And a $5m budget cut in sanitation … We are gonna be drowning in … rats,” Cardi B said during the live session.
Mayor Adams might be on the side of Cardi B, who warned that more cuts would be necessary without additional federal funding to help manage the influx of migrants in NYC.
Per The Guardian:
Migrant costs are going up, tax revenue growth is slowing, and [Covid-19] stimulus funding is drying up,” Adams said in a statement.
“No city should be left to handle a national humanitarian crisis largely on its own, and without the significant and timely support we need from Washington, today’s budget will be only the beginning.
Cardi B Is No Longer Endorsing Presidents
The Biden Administration has not agreed to Mayor Adam’s pleas for funding amid the growing criticism for the continued funding to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, something Bardi touched on in her passionate IG Live along with announcing she is no longer endorsing presidents.
“I’m endorsing no presidents no more,” Cardi B said. “Joe Biden is talking about, ‘Yeah, we can fund two wars,’… talking about, ‘Yeah, we got it, we’re the greatest nation.’ No … we’re not. We don’t got it, and we’re going through some shit right now. So say it!”
She continued, “We are really, really, really f**ked right now. No, we cannot fund these … wars.”
Someone asked if the country is going “broke,” she replied, “Yes, it is. We ain’t got McDonald’s money.” Despite her claims, the country has seen some solid economic numbers. You can read about that here.
Further condemning Biden’s alleged terrible handling of the economy and foreign policy, she said, “Feed that … to somebody else, twinkle, but don’t feed it to me.” She then promised to ” get to the bottom of it.”
We will await those findings.
X Users React
Elon Musk’s sorry platform X has been a hotbed for discourse since Israel began bombing Gaza in retaliation to Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7.
Many have called on political leaders, mainly Democrats, including President Joe Biden, to call for a ceasefire in protests across the globe.
Recently, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been the target of many protests, and other Democrats. Still, some are pointing out the fact that the House of Representatives is currently under Republican control and are wondering why that energy isn’t being applied to the GOP and its batsh*t crazy members.
Many responded to Cardi B’s video by pointing out that she was aiming her valid criticisms in the wrong direction and that the Biden/Harris administration has nothing to do with New York City’s budget.
One thing is for sure: the upcoming presidential election will be a hot mess. We hope Cardi B and others understand that there is a lot on the line with a GOP hell-bent on “Making America White oops Great Again.”
Until then, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
2. Political Cardi is a hit with fans
6. Of course, you should not be shocked the MAGA folks will use this to their advantage.
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Source: Eugene Gologursky / Getty
Kid Cudi made a public call supporting the people of Palestine and calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Hamas organization on social media.
On Sunday (Nov. 5), Kid Cudi weighed in with his take on the ongoing war between Israel and the Hamas organization that has been raging since the group’s attack and kidnapping of hostages. In a heartfelt message on Instagram, the rapper began: “The things I’ve been seeing in the news have been breaking my heart. I can’t watch what’s happening in the world and remain silent. I can’t imagine the pain people are feeling.”
Citing “generations of family members” dying as a spur to his speaking, the Entergalactic artist continued: “I know some people are gonna disagree with me, but that’s ok. As a Black man, I stand against all forms of oppression. And as an artist, I feel responsible to give a voice to the unheard, and to celebrate the spirit of all people through my work and my presence. It matters to me that my art represents my deepest beliefs about what I think humanity can look like.”
Kid Cudi expressed his support for the Jewish people, saying that he “condemned any violence” against them before adding: “But let’s be clear, supporting Palestinian liberation is not antisemitic, it’s human. Palestinians deserve their freedom. This isn’t politics, these are real lives. And I’m just a dude who gives a f–k about humanity.” The statement comes after several artists including Drake, Killer Mike, Kehlani, Macklemore and others sent an open letter to President Joe Biden and Congress demanding a ceasefire.
“I stand with the people of Palestine as they demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the ongoing genocide. My heart goes out to all my brothers and sisters of all faiths and backgrounds who are suffering. Free Palestine!! With Love, Scott,” Kid Cudi finished.
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Dennis Graham has often spoken on behalf of his son, Aubrey Graham, otherwise known as Drake to much of the world. In light of recent criticism that Drake hasn’t shared a statement regarding the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Dennis Graham said that Drizzy is being careful as support for either side could be dissected to bits.
TMZ caught up with Dennis Graham at LAX and the veteran Memphis musician shared his thoughts on why his son hasn’t spoken up in support of Israel despite being of Jewish heritage.
More from TMZ:
Drake’s silence, in particular, has been a hot topic on social media thanks to DJ Vlad … who’s been calling out Drizzy and DJ Khaled, who’s Palestinian, for not using their massive platforms to speak on the crisis.
Dennis says celebs get way more backlash when they publicly address hot-button issues, and he’s certain Drake would be no different.
Graham also shared that his son’s stomach issues that promoted his hiatus from music isn’t a major issue. Of course, Drake is enjoying a nice run on the charts with his latest album, For AlL The Dogs, once again dominating the streaming ecosystem as he often does.
While there is no timeline for Drake’s return to music, Dennis Graham said it could last for an entire year but even he isn’t too sure.
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Photo: Chris Polk/BBMA2017 / Getty
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As Israel is in the midst of conflict with the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza region, LeBron James expressed support via social media which drew a lot of mixed reactions and plenty of disapproval.On Wednesday night (October 11), LeBron James posted a statement to X, formerly known as Twitter, addressing the current turmoil in Israel after the southern region including the Gaza Strip suffered an attack from members of the militant Hamas organization. James began, “The devastation in Israel is tragic and unacceptable.”
“The murder and violence against innocent people by Hamas is terrorism,” the post continued. “The SpringHill Company family sends our deepest condolences to Israel and the Jewish community. We pray for peace in the region and reiterate our continued commitment to fight hate in all its forms. We all must work to ensure this tragedy does not spread even more hate, racism, and antisemitism.” The statement was also co-signed by James’ business partner, Maverick Carter.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward’s statement is one of a series of releases by noted celebrities who have expressed similar sentiments about the conflict in the region which is now in its fifth day after Hamas members killed and kidnapped Israelis in the region in a shock attack over the weekend.
To date, Over 1,200 Israelis have reportedly been killed with close to 2,700 injured while in Gaza, it is estimated that 900 Palestinians have been killed along with 5,000 that were injured. It has increased divisions between those who believe the Israeli government to be too brutal in attacking innocent Palestinians in Gaza, and those who try to conflate the support of the Palestinian people with the support of Hamas.
James’ statement was met with dismay by quite a few users on X, who feel he made that statement to placate right-wing individuals. Others flatly accused him of “selling out” by not even mentioning the Palestinian people in the statement.
And tangentially, of course, many took the opportunity to crack jokes against LeBron James, saying he will never be a better player than Chicago Bulls guard and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.
Keep scrolling to see the reactions from X below.
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Photo: George Pimentel / Getty
1. Kordeli
This X user simply said, “NO LEBRON NOOOO” in response to the statement.
2. Captain MB
A meme featuring Lightning McQueen from “Cars” spinning out of control comes into play to express this user’s disappointment.
4. A Bro Next Door
A meme satirizing LeBron’s penchant for being pictured reading a book.
5. Kanki
One user replied to James with a tweet commenting on the way Palestinians are depicted as opposed to Israeli when violence comes into play.
6. Maor Melikson
This user was one of the lone voices fully supporting LeBron’s statement – with one caveat.
7. StaticMMIV
This X user queried out loud if celebrities were to be censured if they didn’t put out a statement of support for Israel.
8. Blue_999
A comparison of LeBron James losing his hair to the land lost by Palestinians since 1948 in Israel.
9. Mr.
“See what the man you pretend to read says and you didn’t go beyond the first page just for the sake of photographing!”, this user wrote.