Activism and Journalism in Palestine

by Fo Venne

Not all superheros wear capes... but they do carry microphones, pens, and paper. These superheroes put themselves in danger to educate the world about the atrocities occurring as we go about our daily lives. While New Yorkers ride the subway, buy overpriced smoothies, and live in the comfort of our own city, reporters across the world put themselves in jeopardy to call for help.  

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 95 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 90 Palestinian, 2 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese. Despite the constant threat of death, there are a few brave young individuals reporting on the front lines. Bisan Owda is a Palestinian filmmaker but is now known for her social media presence reporting on current events in the Gaza Strip. Bisan Owda publishes many videos under the username “wizard_bisan1” on TikTok and Instagram. Her voice is a call for help. 

She’s not the only one reporting within Palestine. Motaz Azaiza is a 22-year-old Palestinian photographer. He found his fondness for photography when he was sixteen. However, as war broke out, he took that interest and used it to help his people. 

“I was filming this and showing the world and no one stopped it, so why should I keep filming?” Azaiza questioned during an interview with The New York Times. Many reporters put their lives on the line to call for help and nothing happens, so why risk it? 

Motaz Azaiza was authorized by Israeli authorities to evacuate Gaza. Though his lens has been shut, his work has not been forgotten and will not be forgotten. Motaz Azaiza shared his pain, and community's pain with the world, and even though the state of Gaza hasn’t changed, his work has turned heads, and sparked interest inside everyday individuals. Having your voice reach across the world isn’t a small feat and isn’t something to be forgotten. 

Though voices are being silenced within Palestine, the fight isn’t over. All across America students have been shutting down learning institutions to call for a cease fire. “I think the college protesters work is brave and I am sad to see what they are protesting be misconstrued by the media”. On April 17th Columbia students set up camp on campus adorning Kufiyas and Palestinian flags to call for a divestment of their schools money for Israel. (It is important to note that these protesters are NOT against Jewish individuals or in support of Hamas actions). Columbia's encampment has sparked protests across the country. NYU students, Yale students, and many other students including youth internationally have followed Columbia's lead. 

More than 200 students have been detained across universities, silencing youth voices. This is not the only example of students being silenced, specifically those of muslim faith. Asna Tabassum, valedictorian of University of Southern California’s has been denied the opportunity to give a speech at graduation. Tabassum is of South Asian descent and of Muslum faith, she studied biomedical engineering while minoring in resistance to genocide and an interest in global health care equity. While reporting on this it is important to note that it is public knowledge that Asba Tabassum stands for Palestinian liberation. Though USC has reported that the speech was canceled for “safety concerns'' many others believe that taking away Asba Tabassum chance to speak at graduation is a violation of her first amendment right, or straight up islamophobia. 

Activism isn’t only limited to college students, in fact some of 447’s own students have been taking activism into their own hands through platforms such as TikTok. Swan Gira (805) has been creating slideshows on TikTok with screenshots of Palestinian families' GoFundMe's, in hope of raising money for them to escape Gaza. “I just felt like I could be doing something better than press[ing] a few buttons,” Gira explained. Being able to donate to these families directly is one of the best ways to directly help Palestinians, however donations can be out of the question for many. Spreading the word in hope of finding someone who can help is the next best thing. 

In a world where it feels like voices are being silenced left and right, it’s important to remember that there are folk across the world advocating for those who can’t. Some in our very own community. Some, ourselves. We as young people often underestimate the power of our voice, however when we speak up, the world better be ready to listen.