Detained Gaza aid boat activists launch hunger strike: NGO
At least five of the 21 passengers of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Handala have agreed to be summarily deported after the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli navy while attempting to break a military blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
The legal aid group Adalah said that on Monday afternoon, 'hearings concluded at Givon Prison, concerning the continued detention of the 14 volunteers who... refused to consent to an expedited deportation process.'
'During the hearings, the volunteers stressed that their mission was humanitarian — motivated by the need to act against Israel's illegal siege and the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,' the group said in a statement.
One US activist reported 'severe physical violence by Israeli forces,' while others described being held in poor conditions, Adalah said.
'The activists told the tribunal that they remain on an open hunger strike in protest of their unlawful detention,' it added.
It later said the tribunal had 'upheld the continued detention of the 14 volunteers.'
Israel has been treating their cases as immigration violations, which Adalah maintains is illegal, saying they were brought into the country against their will from international waters.
The Handala's 21 passengers hailed from 10 countries, and included two French lawmakers and a pair of Al Jazeera journalists.
Adalah said at least one of the lawmakers, the two journalists and two other passengers were already on their way out of the country.
Two passengers who were Israeli-American dual nationals were released after being interrogated, according to the organization.
A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9.
It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel.
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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
The growing wave of celebrities who have endorsed a two-state solution and condemned Israel over the Gaza catastrophe
RIYADH: As Israel's assault on Gaza continues, a growing number of cultural figures are using their global platform to demand a ceasefire, speak out against alleged war crimes, and support Palestinian civilians. Almost 22 months since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered the war in Gaza, artists, writers, musicians, and actors who once remained silent have joined growing calls for a ceasefire and condemnation of what many now openly describe as genocide. This year alone, open letters signed by hundreds of artists, authors and filmmakers have made headlines, demanding action from political leaders and calling out what they describe as the dehumanization of Palestinians. From high-profile actors to music stars and children's entertainers, here are just some of the well-known figures who have taken a stand. Ariana Grande Pop singer Ariana Grande joined a growing number of artists speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On Sunday, July 17, she posted two Instagram stories backing the Red Line for Gaza campaign, which demands unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. In one story, Grande shared a message that read: 'Starving people to death is a red line. The Israeli government is crossing this red line before our eyes.' Angelina Jolie In April this year, American actress Angelina Jolie, who spent over 20 years as a goodwill ambassador and special envoy for the UNHCR, reaffirmed her support for Gaza by sharing a Medecins Sans Frontiers report on Gaza in an Instagram story. The report described the situation in Gaza as a 'mass grave for Palestinians and those helping them.' But Jolie has been an advocate for Palestinian people's rights since the conflict began in October 2023. She wrote in an Instagram post on Oct. 28 that year: 'What happened in Israel is an act of terror. 'But that cannot justify the innocent lives lost in bombing a civilian population in Gaza that has 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.' Susan Sarandon In an Artists4Ceasefire post on Instagram in February, American actress Susan Sarandon was quoted as saying: 'Palestinians have the right to return, rebuild, and live in freedom on their land. 'Gaza was destroyed with our weapons — now Trump wants to ethnically cleanse Palestinian survivors to create resort properties for his developer friends and family. 'We must rise up together, use everything we have, to finally end the suffering our government inflicts. Peace and justice are for all of us, or for none of us. What we allow in Gaza, we allow everywhere.' Mark Ruffalo In February 2024, at the Directors Guild of America Awards in Beverly Hills, American actor Mark Ruffalo called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He wore two pins on his jacket and told the entertainment news website Deadline that the pins represented 'peace lilies and Artists for Ceasefire.' Ruffalo said: 'We've come to understand this bombing isn't working, we're not going to bomb our way to peace, and all we're saying is, what's wrong with giving a ceasefire a chance?' Piers Morgan British journalist Piers Morgan has publicly called on US President Donald Trump to intervene and demand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu end the war in Gaza. In a post on X in June, Morgan wrote: 'Now is the time for you to tell (Netanyahu) to end this terrible war … and stop the incessant daily slaughter of civilians.' Once a staunch defender of Israel's right to retaliate after the Oct. 7 attack, Morgan has since shifted tone. Speaking with Mehdi Hasan on his show, he said he could 'resist no more' in criticizing Israel's actions, describing them as the 'starvation of the people.' Gigi and Bella Hadid Supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have donated a combined $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts. The funds were to be equally distributed among four organizations: HEAL Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen, and UNRWA. The Hadid sisters, whose father is Palestinian, have been outspoken advocates for the Palestinian cause, with Gigi expressing deep empathy for Palestinians living under occupation and emphasizing her hopes for peace that exclude harm to any Jewish person. 'I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily,' Gigi said in a statement following the Oct. 7 attack. 'I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person.' Dua Lipa British-Kosovan singer Dua Lipa publicly condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza, calling them 'Israeli genocide,' The Guardian reported in May 2024. Sharing a graphic from the Artists4Ceasefire campaign alongside the widely used hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah, Lipa wrote: 'Burning children alive can never be justified. The whole world is mobilizing to stop the Israeli genocide. Please show your solidarity with Gaza.' Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye In April 2024, Canadian singer and songwriter and UN World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye allocated another $2 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund toward WFP's humanitarian response efforts in Gaza. The funding built on the original $2.5 million that Tesfaye directed to WFP's Gaza response in December 2023. Amir Khan In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, British-Pakistani former boxer Amir Khan said people are often 'scared' to come out in support of Palestine, fearing backlash. He took to X to say that 'Palestinian lives matter' and that he has 'never been scared to speak' his mind. 'My entire career, my aim was to become a world champion and use my fame and influence to make a positive change in the world,' he said. 'I've never been scared to speak my mind and stand up for the downtrodden. 'Recently when Ukraine was attacked by Russia, I personally flew to Poland to support the Ukrainian refugees who had been displaced by the effects of war. 'So many people spoke up about these atrocities, but as the world watches what is unfolding in Palestine, I see so many of my peers, friends and colleagues who are remaining silent. Why?' Renee Rapp American singer and actress Renee Rapp used her acceptance speech at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles to call for an 'immediate' and 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza. She urged the audience to use their voices to advocate not only for themselves but also for their friends and those who cannot advocate for themselves. Nicola Coughlan Irish actress Nicola Mary Coughlan regularly shares posts on social media showing support for Gaza. In one post from November 2023, she wrote: 'Let no one — no person, no news organization, no government gaslight you into thinking that basic human empathy is controversial.' In another post in May 2025, she called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and wrote: 'I think it deeply important that people speak up in this moment. No child, no matter where they are from, their religion, anything should be starved to death by a government. 'This is a war crime, plain and simple. The US and UK governments who are aiding and abetting this need to be held to account. This is happening with our tax money and we have a moral obligation to tell them we will not let this happen.' Riz Ahmed In October 2023, British-Pakistani actor and musician Riz Ahmed called Israel's strikes 'morally indefensible war crimes.' He urged the public and leaders to urgently speak out to prevent further loss of innocent lives, highlighting the deep pain and suffering experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians under long-standing occupation and ongoing violence. Ahmed has been part of movements and public letters urging respect for human rights and coexistence, implicitly supporting peace initiatives like a two-state solution. He has been involved in calls for peace in the Middle East alongside other celebrities, referencing 'a two-state solution for peace-loving Israelis and Palestinians' as part of broader advocacy. Zadie Smith A year after publishing an essay in The New Yorker critical of campus protests, British novelist Zadie Smith became one of the most prominent signatories of an open letter by UK and Irish authors condemning Israel's actions. 'The use of the words 'genocide' or 'acts of genocide' to describe what is happening in Gaza is no longer debated by international legal experts or human rights organizations,' the letter stated. Benedict Cumberbatch The British actor was among 300 UK public figures who signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the UK to end its 'complicity in the horrors in Gaza.' The letter, organized by campaign group Choose Love, stated: 'Right now, children in Gaza are starving while food and medicine sit just minutes away, blocked at the border. Words won't feed Palestinian children — we need action. Every single one of Gaza's 2.1 million people is at risk of starvation, as you read this.' Steve Coogan After signing the UK entertainment industry letter, British actor Steve Coogan publicly read the names of children killed in Gaza at a Westminster vigil. He told Sky News: 'They're all children who had lives, who had nothing to do with the conflict … this has to stop.' As the 'mass, indiscriminate killing of innocent people' has continued, he added, 'more and more people are realizing that this has to stop.' Juliette Binoche Initially reluctant to sign a Cannes Film Festival letter denouncing genocide in Gaza, Binoche faced backlash for her silence. After dedicating her festival opening remarks to a slain Gazan journalist — without naming Israel — she reversed course and signed the letter the next day. More than 370 actors and filmmakers, including high-profile Hollywood figures such as Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Guillermo del Toro signed the May open letter condemning the film industry's silence on what they described as 'genocide' in Gaza. Malala Yousafzai The Nobel laureate wrote on X: 'It makes me sick to my stomach to see Israel's cruelty and brutality in Gaza … I call on every world leader to put maximum pressure on the Israeli government to end this genocide and protect civilians.' Thom Yorke The Radiohead frontman, once criticized for performing in Tel Aviv, posted on Instagram to denounce Netanyahu for the 'horrific blockade of aid to Gaza,' adding that the 'excuse of self-defense has long worn thin.' Rachel Accurso The children's entertainer behind the successful YouTube brand, Ms Rachel, told NPR in May: 'I would risk everything, and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for (Gazan children). It's all about the kids for me.' Dan Reynolds During a Milan concert, Imagine Dragons' Reynolds wore a Palestinian flag after a fan tossed it on stage. The act drew renewed attention to the band's controversial earlier decision to perform in Israel — and highlighted shifting stances within the music world. Paloma Faith Faith delivered a speech at a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London in March, vowing she 'won't fall silent until Palestine is free.' She said: 'When the ceasefire was called, like all of you I was relieved but fearful that it would not last. 'I know that Israel has violated every ceasefire agreement it has ever signed, but even with that knowledge and that fear, even after watching months of that genocide, I wasn't prepared for these new depths of brutality to which Israel has descended.' She added: 'A child is slaughtered every eight minutes, we should stand in silence for a minute for every child killed in Gaza in this genocide but if we did that, we'd be silent for over 300 hours so I won't fall silent.' She has also appeared in a campaign urging boycotts of Israeli goods. Hannah Einbinder While accepting a Human Rights Campaign award in LA in March, the Hacks star said: 'I am horrified by the Israeli government's massacre of well over 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza.' 'I am ashamed and infuriated that this mass murder is funded by our American tax dollars. It should not be controversial to say that we should all be against murdering civilians.' Andrew Garfield On the Happy Sad Confused podcast in October 2024, American actor Garfield was blunt: 'We should be putting our energy towards something that actually matters — maybe the lives of Palestinians in Gaza right now. 'Maybe that's where we put our hearts and our energy in, and oppressed, anyone suffering under the weight of the horrors of our world right now, anyone who doesn't have a choice in living lives of dignity. That's where our energy should be going right now.' Marcia Cross The 'Desperate Housewives' actress has consistently called for a ceasefire on social media. 'It's about the land. And extermination of the Palestinian people. Sick,' she wrote in October 2024. In February, she posted a quote from Iraqi-American lawyer and poet Tina Al-Khersan on Instagram, which read: 'I'm struggling to comprehend how to live among people with eyes that don't water, hearts that don't flinch, and voices that remain silent.' John Legend Speaking to Mehdi Hasan in October 2024, Legend criticized US aid to Israel. 'We shouldn't be writing blank checks to any country … It makes me very frustrated at how we easily dehumanize certain people.' He has long linked racial justice in the US to Palestinian liberation. Javier Bardem In 2014, Bardem denounced Israeli attacks in the Spanish newspaper El Diario, facing backlash that lasted years. In 2024, he returned to the issue at the San Sebastian Film Festival, criticizing the Oct. 7 attack, as well as the 'massive punishment that the Palestinian population is enduring.' Speaking to AP after the event, Bardem said: 'I believe that we can and must help bring peace. If we take a different approach, then we will get different results. 'The security and prosperity of Israel and the health and future of a free Palestine will only be possible through a culture of peace, coexistence and respect.' JJ (Johannes Pietsch) After winning Eurovision 2025, JJ criticized Israel's inclusion in the competition. 'It's very disappointing to see Israel still participating. I would like Eurovision to be held without Israel in Vienna next year,' the Austrian-Filipino singer told Spanish newspaper El Pais. 'But the ball is in the European Broadcasting Union's court. We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter.'
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Countries should act unilaterally in recognizing Palestine
In the tangled web of geopolitics and moral responsibility, recognition of Palestine stands today not merely as a diplomatic choice, but as a litmus test of integrity, courage, and commitment to global justice. As the world watches yet another cycle of suffering unfold, it is time to call out the procrastinators, praise the bold, and demand that the international community act unilaterally in embracing the two-state solution — starting with the immediate recognition of Palestine. The UK's recent stance — threatening to recognize Palestine if Israel fails to meet certain conditions — encapsulates the paradox of delayed justice. 'Too little, too late' is apt for a nation that played a pivotal role in creating the current geopolitical landscape. Yet, 'better late than never' is equally valid if London finally chooses to right historical wrongs. Former colonial powers such as Britain and France share a legacy of deep entanglement in the Middle East, and the latter's courageous move to recognize Palestine deserves both praise and emulation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that recognition of Palestine equates to rewarding Hamas — a curious argument, given that his government's long-term policies over more than 16 years have emboldened the very group he now seeks to vilify. Netanyahu's devious support for Hamas is well-documented. 'For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it's blown up in our faces,' read a headline in The Times of Israel in the immediate aftermath of the horrible Oct. 7 attacks. In 2019, the Israeli leader reportedly said: 'Those who want to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state should support the strengthening of Hamas.' Peace, prosperity, and progress are within reach. Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief Recognition is not about legitimizing terrorism. It is about affirming the rights of millions of Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas, and have endured statelessness, displacement, and daily suffering. It is about offering a framework for peace that includes Israelis, who also deserve security and stability. Not to mention ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, as stipulated by the UN — an organization Israel is a member of but does not seem to respect. Whether Netanyahu and his coalition of far-right nationalists accept it or not, the two-state solution remains Israel's safest path forward — both in terms of regional normalization and long-term peace. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly signaled that full normalization is contingent upon the creation of a Palestinian state. The Arab and Muslim worlds are prepared to integrate Israel into a region brimming with economic potential and strategic value. Peace, prosperity, and progress are within reach — if only the leadership dares grasp it. Sadly, many in Israel's current ruling elite remain ideologically opposed to any peaceful settlement. These are individuals who have overseen West Bank annexations, weaponized hunger, and now face accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their worldview is not anchored in coexistence; it thrives on perpetual conflict and expansionism. For them, any compromise — even one that could save lives — is tantamount to betrayal. Let us not forget that these are elected officials who have, without remorse, described the people of Gaza as 'human animals,' called for nuclear strikes, and openly encouraged mass displacement. When such rhetoric becomes policy, and cruelty is cloaked in nationalism, the moral compass of governance is not just broken — it is weaponized. This is no longer about diplomacy — it is about justice. Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief That is why the global community, especially nations untainted by historical baggage, must act. A coalition spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and France, embracing the two-state solution through unilateral recognition of Palestine, is the only viable path forward. Waiting for consensus or negotiating around extremists only prolongs the suffering. This is no longer about diplomacy — it is about justice. Now, more than ever, the stars seem aligned. Hamas and Hezbollah are weakened. Iran is notably quiet. We have a US president who is focused on negotiating peace deals between Ukraine and Russia, India and Pakistan, and Thailand and Cambodia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman happens to be leading Saudi Arabia and has emerged as a pragmatic regional leader with transformative ambitions. This is a historic window to reimagine the Middle East not as a perennial battleground, but as the next Europe — a region of stability, trade, cooperation, and cultural exchange. In the end, recognition of Palestine is not an act of defiance; it is a pledge to uphold human dignity. It is a call to end decades of suffering, and a step toward a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live not just side by side, but as equal partners in peace. History won't wait. Neither should we.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
UN expert on torture demands end to ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading' starvation of civilians in Gaza
NEW YORK CITY: The UN's special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the growing number of starvation-related deaths among Palestinians in Gaza. She described the starving of civilians as 'lethal, inhumane and degrading,' and called for the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the battered enclave. 'Depriving people of food, water and dignity has been a serious and recurring violation of this war and it must end,' she said, citing 'shocking' reports of people being killed while queuing for food, as well as widespread hunger and malnutrition. The risk of all-out famine in Gaza is escalating, she added, stressing that all parties to the conflict have legal obligations under international law to ensure civilians under their control have access to food and water, and to facilitate humanitarian operations. 'They must not steal, divert or willfully impede the distribution of aid,' Edwards said. She detailed the 'catastrophic physiological consequences' of prolonged calorie deprivation, including malnutrition, organ failure and death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants and pregnant women. 'The psychological impact of being deprived of food and water is inherently cruel,' she added. 'Constantly changing rules, militarized distributions and daily and hourly uncertainty about when one is going to access these basic necessities is causing utter despair, stress and trauma.' She welcomed a recent announcement by Israel of humanitarian pauses in military operations to allow the World Food Programme to deliver aid throughout Gaza over a planned three-month period, but said 'more must be done' to end the hostilities and establish long-term peace based on a two-state solution. 'No one should have to suffer the humiliation of being forced to beg for food, and especially not when there are ample supplies waiting to be provided,' she said. Edwards also reiterated her call for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and for independent investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment and other potential war crimes by all parties. She said she has raised her concerns repeatedly with relevant authorities and continues to press for full accountability. Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. They are independent experts who work on a voluntary basis, are not members of UN staff and are not paid for their work.
