The Voice of Hind Rajab, a powerful documentary about a Palestinian girl's tragic death in Gaza, received a standing ovation at Venice Film Festival, highlighting its emotional impact and global significance in raising awareness about Gaza's plight.
Belfast hosts a rally supporting Palestinian hunger strikers, drawing parallels to the 1981 Irish hunger strikes, amid international calls for UK intervention and growing Irish political support for Palestine.
Thousands of protesters in Istanbul demonstrated in support of Gaza on New Year's Day, calling for an end to the conflict, with participation from various political groups, religious sites, and civil society organizations, despite cold weather and heightened security.
A charity single supporting Palestine, titled 'Lullaby,' became the best-selling download of Christmas week in the UK, surpassing major artists and raising tens of thousands of pounds for Gaza. Despite Kylie Minogue's 'XMAS' securing the official Christmas number one, 'Lullaby' topped the UK Downloads Chart, featuring collaborations from notable UK and Palestinian musicians. All profits support Palestinian-led organizations through the Together For Palestine Fund.
Israeli police arrested a Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus at a Christmas party in Haifa, amid claims of excessive force and illegal raid, as Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza celebrated Christmas amidst ongoing conflicts and restrictions, with increased attacks on Christians and continued Israeli military actions, while global figures like Pope Francis condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The article discusses how the October 7 attack in Gaza marked a significant shift in global understanding of the Palestinian struggle, exposing Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism, and catalyzing worldwide radicalization against global systems of domination. It criticizes attempts to restore the old order through diplomacy and emphasizes that true liberation requires dismantling systemic structures of oppression, with Palestine now seen as a symbol of broader anti-colonial and anti-capitalist struggles.
Greta Thunberg was briefly detained in London during a pro-Palestinian protest for holding a sign supporting Palestine Action prisoners, which led to her arrest under UK terrorism law, but she was later released on bail.
Developer Dan DiIorio of the indie game Luck Be a Landlord has urged fans not to buy the game on Xbox and plans to donate $10,000 to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, protesting Microsoft's support for Israel amid ongoing conflicts. This follows a broader indie developer movement boycotting Xbox over its involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting ongoing tensions and protests against the company's actions.
The ousting of Dr. Mary Bassett from Harvard's Center for Health and Human Rights highlights a crisis in institutional integrity and the conditional nature of universalist claims in human rights, global health, and academia, especially in the context of Palestine. Her removal, driven by political pressures and the suppression of critical discourse on Israeli policies, exposes how these institutions often prioritize power and reputation over genuine commitment to universal principles. The article argues for the importance of defending and expanding universal rights, even when they are challenged by powerful interests, and criticizes Harvard's capitulation as a betrayal of its ideals.
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, claims that Unilever blocked the company from launching a Palestine-themed ice cream flavor to express solidarity with Palestine. Cohen plans to independently create a watermelon-flavored sorbet symbolizing Palestinian solidarity, highlighting ongoing disputes over the company's social activism and independence following Unilever's control. The controversy underscores tensions between corporate ownership and social mission commitments.
British commentator Sami Hamdi was detained and had his visa revoked in the US while on a speaking tour, amid controversy over free speech and political criticism of Israel, with the US government citing national security concerns.
Ireland's newly elected president, Catherine Connolly, faced criticism from Jewish leaders after her remarks suggesting Hamas is part of Palestine's civil society, despite her vows to be an inclusive and peace-oriented president. Her comments on the October 7 events and her stance on Palestinian sovereignty have sparked debate.
Bob Vylan's frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster defended his controversial 'death to IDF' chant at Glastonbury, stating he would do it again and emphasizing his support for Palestine, despite widespread criticism and an investigation by police for potential hate crimes.
Bob Vylan's frontman Bobby Vylan expressed no regrets about leading an anti-IDF chant at Glastonbury, stating he would do it again, and emphasized that the real issue is the conditions in Palestine, not the chant itself. The controversy led to professional repercussions but also reignited discussions about Gaza amid ongoing conflict.
Campaigners attribute the withdrawal of several celebrities from a British Museum fundraising event to pressure over its ties to BP and companies linked to Israel's actions in Gaza. The museum denies these connections, while critics highlight the event's controversial sponsors and its impact on cultural and ethical standards.