Dr Irfan Raja
The American and British politics is changing rapidly what liberal newspapers such as The New York Times and The Independent in both countries have termed as “time to break the silence over Palestine” so is it time to prevail peace? Probably Yes! The Jewish Voice for Peace vows on its website that they are “serious about making change”. Much of all these campaigns and activities are occurring online that is the new media platforms. Victoria Brittain believes that there is a substantial shift in the balance of power in journalism mainly because of the internet. Before the invention of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other forms of new media the news from Gaza reached to us mainly from either government controlled or biased media. The reason is that most sections of the mainstream media are evidently less accommodating of the Palestinian cause; this is also documented in several academic studies. Mariam Barghouti argued that the mainstream media has not only misunderstood Palestine but also that the Portrayal of Palestinians in Western mainstream media hasn’t changed much since the colonial era. But now the world has begun to see live podcasts, audio, visual images and videos from concentration camps, streets, hospitals, and mosques which show civilians under attack, demolition of Palestinians homes, stopping children from going on to schools, and forcefully separating children from their parents.
In the recent years, Palestinians have gained enormous attention and sympathy, mainly on the new media platforms around the world. For many writers and researchers social media is changing the landscape of the Israel-Palestine issue despite crackdowns in various forms, and government monitoring. No doubt, social media has emerged as a blessing for the Palestinians. The best research articles show that the Palestine issue has gained more popularity after the invention of Facebook, Youtube and Twitter that many believe has become battleground among (unarmed) Palestinians and Israelis. A YouGov survey shows that the British people are now more inclined to support the Palestinians, but this in contrast to the French and the Americans. Outside the Middle East, a number of campaigning groups and individuals are actively taking the fight to social media to boost the cause to free Palestine. A list of new media platforms includes Jewish Voice for Peace; Gaza Hummingbird Project; US Campaign for Palestinian Rights; Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East which are a few illustrations for social media movements in favour of Palestinians.
Also, in the world of entertainment and sports, Palestinian celebrities have considerably enhanced their reputation on the global stage. Ra‘fat Al-Dajani’s piece “Hollywood, social media are transforming the Palestinian issue” is a stunning illustration of the Palestinian increasing support among reputable people. Several writers have detected this trend as Al-Dajani writes that, “The proliferation of social media, the support of many entertainers for the cause of Palestinian justice has found a new platform and a wider, receptive audience among young American adults, including among young American Jews.” The reason why social media is becoming a powerful platform for people living in oppression is that they can speak their mind freely. Paul Mason investigated the reasons that “Why Israel is losing the social media war over Gaza” and this evidently shows that a comprehensive media crackdown is not working as far as the Israeli government is concerned, because of the active presence of alternative media outlets.
Another point is the restriction of mainstream media reporters, particularly in conflicting regions. Therefore, social media is the only viable and alternative platform for Palestinians to show the rest of the world how it is living under constant siege. Patrikarakos noted the ever increasing use of social media platforms for Palestinians means “more tragedy; more outrage” and that strengthening Palestinians sympathy in the Western world. This year’s “Great March of Return” videos, images and live podcasts aired from the Gaza-Israel border has captured the heinous crimes of the Israeli Army that moved millions of people of all faiths across the world. Among many critics and writers, Tareq Baconi has branded the Gaza March as a “wake-up call to the world”. This illustration helps understand why “for young Palestinians, social media is the leading source of news” because “social media reflects reality, not creates it”. Take for instance, an example from England where political activists, campaigners, academics and university students use new media platforms to raise awareness, protest and campaign for the Palestinians cause. Long before the Labour Party had the adopted IHRA antisemitism definition in full following a long media trial of Jeremy Corbyn, who, it should be said, has consistently advocated for the rights of oppressed, including the Palestinians. Many trade unionists, activists, campaigners and writers of the Stop the War Coalition and other organisations, including John Rees and Lindsey German have also taken on this issue on the social media front. The Israeli government must remember that the Arab Spring that spread across in its neighbouring countries was strongly driven by the New Media and that such waves can begin anytime soon in solidarity with the Palestinians.
— The writer is a British-Pakistani, writer, volunteer and a campaigner.
