Singer Dua Lipa denounces the “genocide” committed by Israel in Gaza

LONDON: Pop artist Dua Lipa, who is British-Albanian, called Israel’s Gaza offensive a “genocide” following a recent pro-Palestinian demonstration in London that resulted in numerous arrests.

The act of burning children alive is never acceptable. The musician used the hashtag “#AllEyesOnRafah,” which has been trending on social media, in an Instagram story late on Tuesday. “The whole world is mobilising to stop the Israeli genocide,” the singer wrote.

With its focus now on Rafah, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have sparked a fresh outcry. According to Gaza officials, an Israeli strike this past weekend destroyed a densely populated refugee camp, killing forty-five people.

Model Bella Hadid and American actor Pedro Pascal also shared images on Instagram with the caption “All eyes on Rafah.” 

Hadid has termed Israel’s offensive a “genocide” and has been outspoken in her support of Palestinian rights.

Prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict’s intensification in October of 2021, Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, and her sister Gigi Hadid were characterised as anti-Semitic in an advertisement that appeared in The New York Times. The advertisement was issued by the Jewish organisation World Values Network.

Reacting to the advertisement, Dua Lipa dismissed the “false and appalling allegations.”

This is the music star of Kosovan descent’s sharpest condemnation of Israel’s conduct to date, despite the fact that she has previously opposed the war in Gaza and been a prominent advocate for Palestinian rights.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in January, Lipa demanded a “humanitarian ceasefire.” 

Prior to this, she had signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden urging “the safe release of hostages and an end to the bombing of Gaza.”

Following a pro-Palestinian demonstration that drew up to 10,000 participants on Tuesday night in London, forty persons were taken into custody, according to UK police.

Among the British celebrities who have previously advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza include the actor Tilda Swinton, the rapper Stormzy, and rock singer Paul Weller. – AFP