DUBAI: From part-Palestinian celebrities like Bella Hadid and Simi and Haze Khadra to international singers, actors and artists, key voices in the fashion and entertainment industries have been tirelessly advocating for the people of Gaza as Israel’s bombardment continues.
Prominent voices who have called for action and donations include US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Hadid, as well as US Palestinian DJ duo and beauty entrepreneurs Simi and Haze Khadra.
Hadid took to Instagram Stories in October to share that her family had received death threats over her pro-Palestine stance, saying: “Every day, I receive hundreds of death threats, my phone number has been leaked and my family feels unsafe … the people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. My heart aches for the pain and trauma I witness, reminiscent of the generational trauma in my Palestinian heritage. When I see the aftermath of airstrikes in Gaza, I weep alongside mothers who have lost their children and the children who cry alone. I mourn the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and friends who will never walk this earth again.”
In November, the Khadra twins took to Instagram to announce that they would donate all sales from their makeup brand SimiHaze Beauty until Nov. 27 on the brand’s website to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).
“PCRF is working on getting children out of Gaza for free medical care. Simi & Haze have a trusting relationship with the PCRF, having completed successful fundraising campaigns together that have yielded dramatic improvements to children’s lives by bringing them the medical care they need to survive,” they posted on Instagram, amid daily posts on the situation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, US singer-songwriter Kehlani has emerged as a strong force on social media and also spoke at a pro-Palestine rally held in Downtown Los Angeles in October, where she said there was nothing complicated about taking a public stance on the matter. “I think it’s black and white, and you have a choice to see it or not… I want all my followers and peers to sit on the right side of history. I want them to make a decision that is larger than them. I want them to make an unselfish one. I want them to make an obvious one. And I just hope they choose to do the right thing.”
For his part, British rapper Stormzy joined a long list of stars who will perform a benefit concert for Gaza and Sudan on Jan. 4 in New Jersey.
The proceeds will go to Human Concern International, an NGO that provides humanitarian aid to Gaza and Sudan.
Stormzy will be joined by US performers Clairo, Faye Webster, Omar Apollo, Nick Hakim, 070Shake and 6lack. Also in attendance will be Canadian music sensations Charlotte Day Wilson and Daniel Caesar, Palestinian writer and poet Mohammed El-Kurd, Sudanese Canadian poet Mustafa, and US Egyptian comedian Ramy Youssef.
