In a heartfelt show of solidarity, Indian celebrities have taken to social media to express their support for the Palestinian people as Israel escalates its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The phrase “All Eyes on Rafah” has gone viral, resonating through global social platforms after devastating airstrikes by Israeli forces set parts of a refugee camp ablaze, resulting in over 40 civilian casualties, including children, and injuring dozens more just last Sunday. The alarming situation has seen no respite, with reports of fresh airstrikes surfacing earlier this week.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) intervened on May 24, ordering Israel to cease its military actions in Rafah. Despite this, the bombardments have persisted, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for urgent international attention and action.
Prominent figures from the Indian film industry, including Bollywood stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Varun Dhawan, Tripti Dimri, Richa Chadha, and Dia Mirza, have voiced their support for the beleaguered Palestinian populace. They have widely shared the “All Eyes on Rafah” message across their social media platforms, condemning the violence and urging for an immediate halt to the hostilities. Support has not only been limited to Bollywood, as notable personalities from the southern film industries such as Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Trisha, Dulquer Salmaan, and Rashmika Mandanna have also joined the chorus, reinforcing the collective outcry against the attacks.
In a poignant gesture, Alia Bhatt, re-shared a post by the Instagram page ‘the motherhood home’, captioned with the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah. Her move echoed through the online community, amplifying the call for global awareness and intervention.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador known for her active involvement in humanitarian causes, also lent her influential voice to the cause by sharing the “All Eyes on Rafah” template on her Instagram stories. Her action signifies not just an expression of solidarity but also a rallying cry for her millions of followers to take notice and act.
Meanwhile, Richa Chadha didn’t mince words in her condemnation of the ongoing violence.
. Taking to social media platform X, she vehemently criticized the actions of the Israeli state, labeling it as “settler colonial genocide”. She highlighted the dire and critical condition of the Palestinian people who are starved, dehydrated, and trapped with no escape from the continuous bombardment. With a passionate plea for immediate ceasefire and decolonization, Chadha stated, “This is the cold-blooded murder of babies, women, pregnant women, innocent civilians, journalists, medical aid workers and doctors. This is genocide, there is no other word for it, and it must be condemned in unequivocal terms. If the world just watches, the world is complicit. Ceasefire now! Decolonize now!”
Adding to the voices of dissent and sorrow, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged earlier this week that a “tragic mistake” had been made, referring to an Israeli airstrike that incinerated a tent camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah, claiming at least 45 lives as reported by local officials. This statement, however, has done little to quell the international outrage or halt the military actions in the region.
The artistic voices of India, through their collective online activism, have highlighted the urgency and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Rafah. The international community’s attention has been drawn emphatically to the plight of the Palestinians, urging for an immediate cessation of violence and active efforts towards peace and stability in the region. The viral phrase, “All Eyes on Rafah”, encapsulates a global demand for justice, echoing from the streets of Gaza to the screens of millions worldwide.
With contributions from the Associated Press (AP), the circumstances in Gaza remain dire and the need for international humanitarian intervention more pressing than ever. In the face of adversity, the global artistic community’s solidarity stands as a beacon of hope, advocating for peace and the protection of innocent lives caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts. Indian celebrities have not only expressed their sorrow and support but have also amplified the call for immediate and decisive action to end the violence in Rafah.
