Art and Activism: Nemahsis' New Single, K-Pop Activism, and Julian Assange's Revelations
New Music and the Fight for Palestinian Justice
Today's Newsletter Highlights
Nemahsis' New Single: Hear "You Wore It Better" and watch the captivating new video.
K-Pop Fans for Palestine: Discover how fandoms are mobilizing for change and supporting humanitarian efforts.
The HYBE Boycott: Learn about the divestment campaign and its impact on the K-pop industry.
Julian Assange and Wikileaks: Uncover what the leaked documents revealed about Israel and the implications for global politics.
Palestine Children's Relief Fund: Support this vital organization and learn how you can make a difference.
Don't miss our pro-Palestine Spotify playlist, perfect for your Pride celebrations this month!
Thank you for being part of our community and standing in solidarity for justice.
Nemahsis’ New Single “you wore it better”
Palestinian Canadian artist Nemahsis released her highly anticipated new single, “you wore it better,” on June 20th. Her music is absolutely captivating and has been a favorite on my TikTok.
Last fall, Nemahsis was dropped by her former label for refusing to “cool down” her activism for Palestine. However, she continues to rise and inspire. Check out her powerful video for “you wore it better” below.
“you wore it better” has also been added to my Pro-Palestinian Spotify playlist.
Support Nemahsis by signing up for her email list to stay updated on her music and show solidarity with her. Let's lift up artists who stand for justice and truth!
K-Pop Fandoms for Palestine
Fandoms, especially those popular among teen girls and women, are often dismissed as frivolous. However, these online communities can be significant political forces. One prominent example comes from the world of K-pop.
Over the past eight months, K-pop fandoms, along with other online and offline communities, have turned their attention to the ongoing Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Many K-pop fans have rallied behind the #StrikeAgainstthe4 campaign, targeting the four biggest K-pop companies: HYBE, JYP, SM, and YG.
Mobilizing for Change: BTS Army for Palestine
Among K-pop fandoms organizing for Palestine, BTS fans, who refer to themselves as BTS Army, have mobilized under the Army banner to advocate for and raise funds for Palestine. "We were all feeling powerless watching the genocide escalate and we wanted to make use of the power this fandom holds," says Deeja, one of the Palestinian admins of @Army4Palestine, a Twitter account uniting BTS fans in support of Palestine. With over 32,000 followers, the account has raised about $100,000 for essential supplies for Gaza.
Expanding the Movement
Other fandoms have joined the cause with accounts like @Carat4Palestine, @Engene4Pal, and @Moa4Pali mobilizing fans of SEVENTEEN, ENHYPEN, and TXT, respectively. D, an admin of @Carat4Palestine, emphasizes the importance of educating fans about the Palestinian cause to build a foundation for further activism.
The HYBE Boycott & Divestment Campaign
The HYBE divestment campaign, initiated by the "4Palestine" accounts, calls for the company to sever ties with Zionist collaborators, including HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun. I recently covered Scooter Braun’s history of Zionism, and the HYBE Boycott, here.
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This campaign calls on record companies to distance themselves from ideologies supporting apartheid and genocide.
Julian Assange is Free!
Julian Assange is returning to Australia after reaching a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department.
Having been incarcerated in Belmarsh Prison since 2019 after spending seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy, Assange's alleged crime centers around publishing classified government documents. In 2010, his organization, WikiLeaks, released a large number of secret U.S. military and diplomatic documents.
In 2011, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange released a tranche of the most militarily sensitive cables from the US embassy in Tel Aviv. Here’s what they revealed:
Mohammed Tantawi, the head of Egypt's ruling generals, was an obstacle to Israeli efforts to stop arms smuggling within the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli security forces.
They shed light on operations of the Mossad and Israel's Second Lebanon War in 2006.
The cables show intimate cooperation between US and Israeli intelligence organizations.
In one cable, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informed senior American diplomats that the attack in Northern Syria on September 6, 2007, was carried out by the Israeli Air Force and was against a nuclear reactor built by the Syrian government with North Korean assistance.
There has been minimal outcry over reports that the CIA in 2017 discussed potential ways to abduct and assassinate Assange. Few have highlighted that Assange has already suffered a stroke amid his persecution and the 15-year confinement imposed on him by US and UK authorities. He was too unwell to attend recent court hearings or even to watch the proceedings via a digital link from the court.
Julian Assange’s father, John Shipton, said in November of 2023 that Israel’s bombing of Gaza has only incited more anger and a “hunger for justice” across the world.
Vivienne Westwood, long-time Palestine supporter in her lifetime, was also an advocate for and close friend of Julian Assange.
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Take Action: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
Founded in 1991 by concerned humanitarians in the USA, the PCRF provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children who lack access within the local healthcare system. Over the years, the organization has sent over 2,000 children abroad for treatment, deployed thousands of international medical professionals to local hospitals, and provided humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of children in need.
How Their Chapters Help:
Raising Funds: Organizing local activities and events to raise funds and awareness.
Assisting Children: Supporting the care and treatment of children through their travel abroad program.
Recruiting Medical Teams: Identifying and recruiting medical teams and facilities for local and international missions.
Contact your local PCRF chapter to get involved and make a difference in the lives of Palestinian children.
Thank You
Let me know what you think by commenting below, and don't forget to share this newsletter with your friends and hit the like button. Together, we can tip the cultural scales in support of justice.
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Thank you for being part of this community!
In Solidarity,
illesha magdalena
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