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Friday, November 15, 2024 09:53
India-USA Nexus and G20 Summit: India’s Bluff on Poverty and Humanity Palestine and Kashmir: Two Illegal Occupations, Two Epic Struggles Analytical Discourse of Iqbal’s Philosophy of Education The Contemporary Relevance of Allama Iqbal’s Educational Philosophy One Hundred Days of Special Investment Facilitation Council: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Prospects The Rise of Narendra Modi: From RSS Foot Soldier to India Question of Palestine Eternal Wisdom: Iqbal Building Futures: Empowering Pakistan's Youth for Tomorrow Tourism: An Essential Element for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Connecting Youth to Global Opportunities Algorithms: The Silent Architects of Warfare Pakistani Youth: The Driving Force for National Progress Investing in Future Generations: Pakistan Army Lost Voices: The Systematic Marginalization of Indian Muslims Parallel Struggles: Examining the Palestinian and Kashmiri Quests for Self-determination Emergence of BJP as a Hindutva Force The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Transforming Pakistan Building Sustainable Cities: Urban Search and Rescue Preparedness Simulation Exercise In the Pursuit of Happiness: Understanding Hedonia, Eudemonia, and Naikan COAS’ U.S. Visit: Strengthening Ties and Fostering Collaboration A Biological Marvel of Human Heart Educational Empowerment: FC Balochistan (North) Initiates Literacy Program for Soldiers Digital Pakistan Journey: Pioneering Towards a Connected Future Driving Digital Transformation: Pakistan CJCSC Calls on His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussain During His Visit to Jordan COAS' Peshawar Visit Highlights Security, Socioeconomic Development and National Unity Unity in Diversity: COAS Joins Christmas Celebrations with Christian Community in Rawalpindi Chief of the Naval Staff Attends Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in Bangkok Strengthening Bonds and Elevating Collaboration: Combat Commander Turkish Air Force Calls on Chief of the Air Staff Closing Ceremony of Multinational Special Forces Exercise Fajar Al Sharq-V Strengthens Counterterrorism Collaboration Off the Beaten Track: Exploring Jiwani's Coastal Marvels and Heritage Special Investment Facilitation Council: A Game Changer for the Economy of Pakistan Rising Stars: Pakistan’s Youth Shines Bright in 2023 Indian Supreme Court’s Decision and the International Law Challenges to Justice: The Indian Supreme Court’s Fallacy in IIOJK Belt and Road Initiative: Strengthening Global Ties with Unhindered Trade and Connectivity The Media Matrix: Unraveling How Technology Shapes Our Perception Decoding Human Interaction: The Comprehensive Guide to Reading Body Language The Magic of Moscow On the Same Wavelength: Suno FM's Impact on Community Empowerment, Diversity, and Social Progress in Pakistan The Journey of SAIL: A Beacon of Hope for Autism in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan National Youth Convention 2024: COAS Stresses Youth's Vital Role, Urges Unity, and National Strength Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Calls on COAS COAS Attends Inauguration Ceremony of the Second Chapter of NASTP Silicon PAF's Induction and Operationalization Ceremony Showcases Technological Advancements and Operational Excellence COAS Witnesses Firing of Different Air Defense Weapon Systems During Exercise Al-Bayza-III, 2024 COAS Visits POF Wah, Highlights Importance of Indigenous Defense Industry Exercise Sea Guard-24: Strengthening Maritime Security Al-Noor Special Children School and College Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 in Multan Garrison Exercise BARRACUDA-XII: Strengthening Global Cooperation for Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection Pakistan-Qatar Joint Aerial Exercise "Zilzal-II" Held in Qatar March 23, 1940: Charting the Course for Pakistan's Future Peshawar’s Namak Mandi: A Gemstone Heaven Genocide in Palestine Rising Cities, Shrinking Spaces: Tackling Overpopulation and Urbanization in Pakistan Impact of Pakistan Resolution Day on National Identity Building Leaders: Jinnah and Iqbal's Timeless Wisdom for Today's Youth National Parks–Natural Assets India's New Playbook for Extraterritorial Assassination of Opponents The Legacy of Khan Brothers in Pakistan Armed Forces (Part II) Beyond the Battlefield: AIMH’s Quest for Military History Preservation The Siege of 634 A.D. 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Realities: Demystifying Pakistan‘s Defense Budget Unresolved Turmoil, The Gaza Conflict and Israel‘s Strategic Quagmire Post Shangri-La Dialogue: Prospects for Regional Security and Stability Optimizing the Benefits of CPEC 2.0 Sagadat Nurmagambetov: An Example of Persistence, Courage, and Selfless Devotion to the Motherland From Digital Resistance to Pro-Palestinian Encampment SIFC: Catalyst for Foreign Investment Driving Pakistan‘s Economic Transformation Charting a Green Future: How SIFC is Leading Pakistan‘s Green Revolution Digital Terrorism: Implications for Pakistan‘s National Security and Policy Tich‘ Cowan – The Fighting Admiral Leepa Valley: Where Nature Meets Patriotism RUMANZA: Transforming Pakistan‘s Golfing Landscape with World-Class Excellence Inside Okara Garrison: Students Witness Pakistan Army‘s Training and Tradition Prime Minister Pays Tribute at Sepoy Haroon William‘s Funeral Service CJCSC Visits Turkiye Chief of Defense Forces Australia Calls on CJCSC COAS Visits the LOC in the Haji Pir Sector Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy Calls on CNS Royal Saudi Naval Forces Delegation Visits Pakistan CAS Visits Command and Staff College Quetta Commander Multan Corps Reviews Troops’ Watermanship Training in Okara Rescue at Sea: Pakistan Navy Saves 8 Iranian Fishermen Amid Vessel Fire Historical Foundations of Pakistan and the Requirements for Nation-Building Quaid, WWII, and the Pathway to Pakistan India and Israel: Similarities (Part I) Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir: Five Years Later Beyond the Headlines: How Kashmir‘s Status Change Alters the Conflict Food Insecurity: The Hidden Threat of Illicit Foot Trade Modi‘s Impact on the Soul of India The Role of Education in Overcoming Human Violence in Pakistan Rights as a Weapon of Leverage in the 5th Generation Warfare Vision for a Peaceful and Prosperous Pakistan: Conceptual Aspects of the Fast-Paced Socioeconomic Development Program Navigating the Meritocracy Maze: Challenges, Strategies, and 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GHQ to Honor Olympian Arshad Nadeem’s Historic Achievement in Paris Olympics 2024 Pakistan and Romania Pledge Enhanced Naval Cooperation During CNS’ Official Visit Pakistan Navy Commissions PNS HUNAIN in Romania British High Commissioner to Pakistan Calls on CAS General Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Iraq Calls on CAS Strengthening Ties at Sea: RSNF Cadets Complete Advanced Training with Pakistan Navy Visit of Students and Faculty of Different Educational Institutions of Khanewal District to Okara Garrison Selective Justice: The Implications of Hinduization on Kashmir's Future Global Advocacy for the Freedom Movement in Kashmir Hinduization of Law Kashmir in Focus: The Abrogation of Article 370 and Its Implications under International Law Taliban Rule and Regional Stability India and Israel: Similarities (Part III) The Indian Nuclear Black Market: Perilous for South Asia International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction A Regional Approach to Tackling Terrorism Digital Frontlines: 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Center Iqbal’s Vision for a Unified Muslim World Amidst Modern Challenges Iqbal’s Ode to Humanity: Reflections on Prophets, Poets, and Philosophers Chameleons of War,How Military Uniforms Evolved to Meet Combat Demands In Memory of Major Wasif Hussain Shah Shaheed (SBt): The Braveheart of Datta Khel Merging Visions: The Shared Path of Economic Advancement for China and Pakistan Pakistan Military Academy Passing Out Parade-2024 CJCSC Attends SVI’s Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference 2024 COAS Witnesses the Ongoing Multinational Exercise Indus Shield-2024 Minister of Investment, KSA, H. 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Hina Alam

The author is an Industrial and Manufacturing Engineer and has an MS in Project Management. She occasionally writes articles on various topics. E-mail: [email protected]

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Hilal English

From Digital Resistance to Pro-Palestinian Encampment

July 2024

Social media exposes Palestinian suffering, but international efforts fail to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza and Rafah.



Since the last two decades, the internet, mainstream media, and social media have been crucial in global perception management, leading to international popular protest movements, street marches, and riots, ultimately influencing the political decisions of world powers. Palestinian solidarity movements have existed as long as the Palestine-Israel conflict itself. Israel has consistently labeled Palestinian resistance as terrorism and violence against the State of Israel, branding all Palestinians as threats to the state. World powers involved in the conflict have continued to provide military and financial support to Israel. Mainstream media has also shown bias towards apartheid Israel. With the rise of the Internet and Communication Technologies in Palestine around 2000, global solidarity movements became more developed and influential. Digital platforms were recognized for the first time as tools for Palestinian rights activism and communication during the Second Intifada. Many pro-Palestinian websites launched during this period included Hear Palestine, Palestine Monitor, Al-Awda, and Electronic Intifada. During this period, internet access became widespread in the occupied territory. By 2007, internet usage in Palestine, especially on platforms like Facebook, surpassed that in other Arab countries in support of Palestinian liberation movements.
From 2000 to 2012, many campaigns, activities, and movements were organized by Palestinian solidarity groups in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Germany, Australia, and the USA. Palestinian solidarity movements joined hands with university students, trade unions, and religious and peace-promoting societies internationally. The rebirth of solidarity movements after the second intifada led to the political failure of U.S.-sponsored talks between Israel and Palestine. At that time, Palestinians gained successful international support for their struggle, and seventy-nine students of the University of California Berkeley were arrested at a protest in 2002.



The projection of the 2008-2009 war in Gaza through websites, online petitions, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blogs played a pivotal role in gaining the support of the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement internationally, which was formerly launched in 2005 by the Palestinian civil society organizations to end the Israeli occupation. 


In 2008, the Palestinian perspective of air attacks and ground invasions during military operation Cast Lead was portrayed on the internet with a Palestinian perspective, which negates mainstream media reports. This was the time when meagerly resourced pro-Palestinian solidarity camps in Europe and the USA got added value to their support through the internet against well-funded and influential Israeli diasporas. In response, students in many U.K. universities occupied main buildings and urged them to cut ties with Israeli universities and start collaboration and scholarship programs with Palestinian universities. They also demanded to stop arms and munitions exports to Israel. Resultantly, the popular public opinion and support shifted towards Palestine in this virtually created new war zone. In this war zone, ordinary Palestinian civilians on Facebook and YouTube appeared more empowered, well-heard and convincing than the state appointments of Israel, the USA and European countries. The projection of the 2008-2009 war in Gaza through websites, online petitions, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blogs played a pivotal role in gaining the support of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement internationally, which was formerly launched in 2005 by the Palestinian civil society organizations to end the Israeli occupation. The charter of movement was to secure equal rights for Palestinians and to gain the right for refugees to return. American and U.K. universities, academics, and unions have also acknowledged the BDS call well. Celebrities around the world also declared their unconditional support for the Palestinian national struggle, cancelling their tours and concerts in Israel.
Later, in 2012, social media was used for the first time during a military conflict by Hamas and Israel to shape their narratives during Operation Pillar of Defense. Despite having meagre resources, Palestinians succeeded in winning information warfare against specialized and well-funded Israeli social media and international mainstream media. The reason that the Palestinian narrative was well-heard internationally was the coverage of killings and capturing of innocent civilians, including children. An example was made for the first time, in which the narrative of the weaker side can be portrayed successfully compared to the powerful and resourceful enemy. Real-time videos, caught by cameras gave a sense of authenticity to Israel’s brutality, created an emotional reaction internationally and enhanced Palestinian solidarity manifolds. In this period, student networks coordinated through online meetings and interactive internet-mediated platforms to exchange information and decide the course of action. Twitter and Facebook were used for general awareness campaigns to organize meetings and activities. The online digital resistance to publicize hunger strikes for the release of Palestinian prisoners in 2012 also got a reasonable percentage among online content on social media and blogs, leading to protests, electronic lobbying and debates in many European countries’ parliaments.
Social media also gave new heights to citizen journalism in the Palestine-Israel conflict. All Palestinian nationals experiencing Israel's brutality switched on their mobile cameras and became frontline reporters on social media, broadcasting and sharing real-time updates and short videos. In 2014, tweets of Operation Protective Edge with the hashtag “Gaza Under Attack” portrayed live streaming of Palestinians living during the operation and became an example of real-time streaming of the battlefield. A series of solidarity protests took place around the world. In July 2017, Israel installed nine electronic gates at Al-Aqsa Mosque, followed by a massive online protest by the Palestinians and street protests internationally persuading Israeli leaders to remove electronic gates. These online protests led to international solidarity and became a victory for Palestinians. In 2020, the Instagram hashtags portrayed a unique coalescence of Palestinian conflict and U.S. riots. The hashtag “Palestinian Lives Matter” portrayed the killing of young Palestinian Eyad al-Hallaq by Israeli Police and the death of George Floyd in the USA were associated in pictorial form by the Palestinians and shared on Instagram. This online charged expression gave Palestinians a cross-cultural digital platform to achieve attunement, support and solidarity worldwide.
In April 2021, Israel made several Palestinian families homeless in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Palestinians used TikTok with the hashtags “Save Sheikh Jarrah” and “TikTok Intifada” to portray the illegal use of Israel’s power, calling for action by global communities. After that, international protests and street marches took place in Washington, London, Sydney, Chicago, and other cities against Israel’s infiltration of Sheikh Jarrah’s neighborhood. And a new term emerged in the digital resistance platforms: "TikTok Intifada". Protests were observed across the USA, including universities.
After October 7, 2023, the world had witnessed the most extreme outrage of Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. On October 30, 2024, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) declared that “Gaza has become a graveyard for thousands of children. It’s a living hell for everyone else.” Israel bombed schools, universities, buildings, mosques, churches, journalists, hospitals, water resources, food storage warehouses, UN refugee centers and powerhouses. This made evident that their targets were not Hamas militants but the Palestinians and their livelihood.



On December 7, 2023, the New York Times quoted Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and reported that 23000 tons of explosives, equal to two nuclear bombs, had been dropped in Gaza and also in the areas where citizens were present. The use of white phosphorous munitions in civilian areas raised serious humanitarian and ethical concerns around the world. People in many countries moved out in huge numbers and continued their protests impactfully. The protests have only been in the USA since November 4, 2023, and have drawn crowds of more than 300,000 people. The number is persistently increasing day by day as the conflict continues. Social media is also stormed with messages of people from all countries expressing their grief and insulting the USA, European, and Israeli stakeholders in the conflict. Footages and videos of live burials in mass graves at different hospitals sparked an outcry on social media, shocking the UN's Human Rights Chief.



In 2014, tweets of Operation Protective Edge with the hashtag “Gaza Under Attack” portrayed live streaming of Palestinians living during the operation and became an example of real-time streaming of the battlefield.


In April 2024, starting from Columbia University in New York, several colleges and university students across the USA pitched camps. They demanded an immediate ceasefire, academic amnesty to Palestinian students, disbandment of financial assistance, arms and munitions supply and boycott of business contracts and Israeli products in American supermarkets. Several days of protests and encampment resulted in using state power to end the encampment and the resignation of Harvard and Columbia University presidents. Many other university presidents faced trials and lawsuits, but on social media and mainstream media, the world witnessed that the pro-Palestinian encampment was well responded to by Palestinian children living in refugee camps in Rafah and other areas in Palestine. 
Social media, citizen journalism, and electronic solidarity movements provided solid evidence against the mass genocide of Palestinians in the Palestinian-Israel conflict. But violence, atrocities, and human rights violations by the Israel Defense Forces are still on the rise. Sadly, international solidarity and world humanitarian organizations have not yet succeeded to force world powers and the Israeli government to end the protracted conflict in Gaza and Rafah.


References
▪ Abbas, L., Fahmy, S. S., Ayad, S., Ibrahim, M., & Ali, A. H. (2022). TikTok intifada: Analyzing social media activism among youth. Online media and global communication, 1(2), 287-314.
▪Abuayyash, S. (2016). The Palestine Solidarity Movement in Ireland and the U.K.: mediating and framing Palestine. Huston School of Film & Digital Media. National University of Galway.  2016Abuayyashphd.pdf (nuigalway.ie)
▪ Abushbak, A. M., & Majeed, T. (2020). The role of social media in mobilizing crowd protest–A case study of Palestinian anger against Israel’s Military measures at Al-Aqsa compound on Instagram. Studies in Indian Place Names.
▪ Aouragh, M. (2008). Everyday resistance on the Internet: The Palestinian context. Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research, 1(2), 109-130.
▪ Audeh, I. (2024), Solidarity During a Time of Genocide: Why Gaza Matters, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, https://www.wrmea.org/israel-palestine/solidarity-during-a-time-of-genocide-why-gaza-matters.html
▪ Cervi, L., & Divon, T. (2023). Playful activism: Memetic performances of Palestinian resistance in TikTok# Challenges. Social media+ society, 9(1), 20563051231157607.
▪Cyr (2024), Pro-Palestinian encampment goes up at Oregon State University as students make demands, Register-Guard, https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/education/2024/05/15/pro-palestinian-encampment-oregon-state-university/73702145007/
▪ Ferguson, R. (2024). Israel’s roadmap to genocide. International Socialism, 181.
▪ France24 (2009), Online solidarity for gaza is growing, https://www.france24.com/en/20090112-online-solidarity-gaza-growing-
▪ Gritten (2024), U.N. rights chief 'horrified' by mass grave reports at Gaza hospitals, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68881325
▪ Hasan, A., & Buheji, M. (2024). A World Losing Its Legitimacy-Gaza from Collective Punish till Ethnic Cleansing & Genocide. International Journal of  Management (IJM), 15(1), 2024.
▪ Hayes, J. (2023). Palestinian Solidarity on Social Media: The Distribution of Images of Occupation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by Advocacy  Organisations. University of Sheffield
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▪ Jackson, H. (2023). The On-Campus Israel Lobby: How the Suppression of Palestinian Activism on U.S. College Campuses Is a Multi-Million Dollar Foreign-Funded Industry, Columbia University.
▪Pilkington (2021), U.S. campuses become a growing front in Israeli-Palestinian conflict, The Guardian,https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/21/us-campuses-sraeli-palestinian-conflict-universities
▪ Ravale Mohydin. Israel’s War on Gaza and the Weaponisation of Social Media. Policy Outlook. TRT World https://researchcentre.trtworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Israel-War-on-GazaV2.pdf
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Hina Alam

The author is an Industrial and Manufacturing Engineer and has an MS in Project Management. She occasionally writes articles on various topics. E-mail: [email protected]

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