As a collective human society, we’ve been feeling a lot of emotions lately. And as a Muslim Ummah, we’ve felt immense pain as we watched our government back a genocidal war against the people of Occupied Palestine. We questioned whether our lives mattered to them at all, in the face of power, greed, and blind allyship. More importantly, as a God-centric community, we were forced to think about our duties for our brethren abroad facing this nightmare funded by our tax dollars.

What’s Brewing?

What’s NOT brewing, that is the question. The most interesting thing about how all of this unfolded after the tragic bombing of a Gazan Baptist Hospital by Israel that killed over 1,000 civilians, was perhaps the disorganization of the PR mouthpieces of Israel themselves. Official twitter pages of the IDF and the government would post something only to delete it moments later. And then we’re guessing they were given instructions to take a whole other route to the damage they had inflicted by admitting to their crime, and begrudgingly the narrative was then changed to the Resistance firing a missile at themselves and hitting the Gazan Baptist Hospital. Countless people called out the lies, Al Jazeera even did an investigative video about this, which they then once again tried to discredit. What is wondrous is the sheer energy, time and thought they put into all of this– a truly exhausting feat. But can we really put it past an entity that bombs only women and children, and hasn’t still hit even one resistance depot? As Biden hugs his way in and out of Netanyahu’s arms, the administration here at home is falling apart. Josh Paul, a veteran US State Department official resigned very publicly citing “injustice” over arms deals to Israel. The voices for Palestine are growing louder across North America at rates that won’t be easy to contain. What remains to be seen is which way this war is going to go, at what point will US backed Israel show restraint, and how many children and innocent civilians will be killed in its wake. What we do know however, is that we may be inching closer and closer to a truly free Palestine.

World

US Vetoes Humanitarian Aid to Palestine

As the sole vote rejecting a UN resolution to pause the fighting and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the US used its veto power on Wednesday to shut down help for the Palestinians. The Brazil-drafted policy would have condemned violence against all civilians, but the US ambassador said it did not do enough to emphasize Israel’s right to self-defense. This is while the overwhelming majority of the council, making up 12 countries, supported the resolution, citing concern for the devastating bombings and killings unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank. 

Economy

Corporate World Remains Silent over Israeli Aggression

Corporate giants were quick to respond to the Russia-Ukraine war and offer their moral and financial support for Ukrainians in 2022. Over 1,000 companies pledged to cease or scale back business in Russia after issuing heavy condemnations against Russian aggression. Today, these same businesses have taken a silent stance on the horrific attacks against Palestinians. Some have declined to weigh in, while others, such as Microsoft, Google, Disney, Hewlett Packard, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs, have come out in support of Israel. While big business was quick to condemn the Palestinian Resistance, it had nothing to say about the Israeli atrocities taking place against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Tech

Web Summit Boycotted over CEO’s Criticism of Israel

Several tech companies and investors have boycotted Web Summit, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, following CEO Paddy Cosgrave’s criticism of Israel and its recent attacks against Palestinians. He stated in a series of tweets that “war crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are.” He also made remarks about Israel’s violations of international law. After receiving heavy backlash for his comments, Cosgrave had no choice but to post a public apology.

What You Need to Know

Protesting is an Undeniable Right

In recent days, hundreds of pro-Palestinians protesters have been arrested by police across the Western world. From mass arrests in Germany, New York City, and Washington D.C. to bans on pro-Palestinian protests in France, Western citizens’ free speech has been trampled on and violated in more ways than one. Students participating in pro-Palestine university protests have also faced harassment and Islamophobia for taking part in demonstrations, including being spat on and cursed at. While these incidents have left some fearful and intimidated over participating in rallies, it must be noted that free speech, expression, and protest are guaranteed rights that cannot be denied to anyone. Any violation of these rights can be subject to legal action in the court of law.

What to Look Out For

Video discrediting all the discredited propaganda- yeah, it doesn’t just sound interesting, it will be interesting. Expect that on Saturday. 

An interview with analyst Batool Subeiti on the war, what’s happened so far and her analysis on the way forward. Is it too soon to predict the future? Maybe. But maybe not, and we’re sure she has the research to back it up. 

A comprehensive historical report on Palestine, coming soon to you.

And at least 15 articles that somehow need to be published within the next few days. Long story short, clear up your whole day to catch up on them. No really, they’re important.

News

What Else is Brewing?

• Schisms within the United States Biden administration seems to be growing. In what is a rare show of public dissent, US Department of State official resigned with a letter he posted on linkedin that packed a punch. He cited injustice in arms sales to Israel, and that he couldn’t make the difference he thought he could.

• The Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church compound, Gaza’s oldest church, was struck in an Israeli air attack on Thursday in central Gaza City, killing at least 40 people. Built between the 1150s and 1160s by Crusaders, the church has been a shelter for Muslim and Christian Palestinians seeking refuge in times of fear. At the time of attack, the church was sheltering over 400 people.

• American protesters rallied in the US Capitol building on Wednesday, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The Jewish-led protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, drew a total of 10,000 protesters inside and outside the Capitol, and happened on the day President Joe Biden visited Israel. At least 300 people were arrested after police told them to stop demonstrating and they did not comply.

• Six-year-old Wadie Al-Fayoume, a Palestinian-American child in Illinois, was stabbed to death by 71-year-old landlord Joseph Czuba. Wadie and his mother, 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin, were both stabbed multiple times in their chest, torso, and arms by Czuba, who was screaming, “You Muslims must die.” The terrorist has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two hate crimes, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

• This past week has seen tens of millions of people in cities across the world take to the streets in protest of Israel’s attacks on Palestinians and in demand of a ceasefire. Hundreds have been arrested in the US and Europe during pro-Palestine demonstrations, with police in Germany and France reacting violently to protesters with tear gas and water canons.

• A third earthquake in a span of less than two weeks hit the Afghan city of Herat, with the death toll now rising to over 2,000 people. The earthquakes have flattened entire villages, burying families and leaving thousands stranded. Surviving victims are left without homes, and struggling to find food and basic living necessities. Over 90 percent of casualties from all three earthquakes were women and children. 

Jummah Inspo

“If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He denies you help, then who else can help you? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.”

Holy Quran 3:160

Written by Sara Salimi and Zainabrights

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