Ruaidhrí

[MoTaz @motazazaiza9]

Statement from Motaz Azaiza, Sept 20th 2026.

Over the past few days, I have been attacked online for words of mine from a podcast discussion that have been shamefully and dishonestly distorted, mistranslated, and taken out of context by Israel and the supporters of Israel's occupation.

I never said the journalists in a Gaza WhatsApp group were affiliated with Hamas. I never said Hamas controlled Gaza's journalists, directed their work, or that being in that group meant belonging to Hamas. Any claim otherwise is false.

The WhatsApp group I mentioned was simply a group where representatives of the Hamas government shared updates about the situation in Gaza. Many journalists participated in it, including me, because receiving updates from the government was part of our work - as it is for journalists across the world.

I have criticized Hamas many times. Hamas is not only a resistance faction in Gaza; it is also the governing authority, and as a Palestinian born and raised Gaza, I have every right to criticize those who governed me. But that criticism must never be twisted into something it is not. When members of my family were killed, when my friends were killed, when I was threatened and forced to move under constant danger, it was Israel doing the killing.

My criticism of the Hamas government does not erase what Israel has done to my people, and it does not give anyone the right to use my words to serve the narrative of the Israeli occupation. As for the video I recorded of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, I filmed it inside Gaza while doing my job as a photojournalist. I chose not to publish it because I feared that revealing the location could put Palestinian civilians in the area at risk. Around twenty minutes later, the site was struck by Israeli warplanes, killing the hostages along with Hamas gunmen who were there.

To be clear: I did not participate in October 7. I was not part of it in any way. I was in Gaza doing my job: documenting what was happening in front of me.

I will not allow my criticism of a Palestinian governing authority to be turned into propaganda for the occupation. Criticizing those who govern us is our right. Opposing occupation is our right. One does not cancel the other.

And a reminder once again: the mass death and destruction in Gaza that I documented on camera, and relayed to the world, was done not by Hamas but by Israel.

[Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz]

The reason everyone stopped caring about October 7 is because Israel just spent three years showing the world all the murderousness, sadism and racism which caused October 7 to happen.

[KNEECAP @KNEECAPCEOL]

Some things that Israel offcially PROHIBITS/STOPS entering Gaza: 👇

- Toys
- Wedding Dresses
- Cancer medication
- Nappies
- Babies bottles
- Footballs
- Crutches
- Musical instruments

Why? To inflict a level of dehumanisation and pain that's hard to imagine.

[Sarah @Sarahjdublin]

I don’t fuck with anyone who isn’t pro Palestine

I don’t want to hear any both sides shit, I don’t want to hear it’s complicated, I don’t wanna hear I’m not political

Speak out or fuck off

[KNEECAP @KNEECAPCEOL]

Today US-backed Israel is murdering children again.

They do it every single day.

FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

[MSF International @MSF]

On 13 September, an MSF bus carrying 10 humanitarian staff in Gaza City was damaged by an Israeli airstrike on a targeted vehicle just two metres away. One of our colleagues was injured in the strike.

The bus was clearly identified as an MSF vehicle, with a large MSF sticker visible on its roof. Once again, Israeli forces have shown a blatant disregard for the safety of humanitarian and medical personnel.

Nowhere is safe in Gaza. Civilians, healthcare workers and humanitarian staff must be protected. Clearly marked medical and humanitarian vehicles must be spared from attacks.

[Farrukh @implausibleblog]

Left: Ed Sheeran on Instagram, "There is a reason I don't use my professional platform for politics"

Right: Except that time Ed Sheeran shot a music video in Kyiv, then did a concert for Ukraine, because, "I just wanted to so something, rather than not do anything"

My view follows.

[Ruaidhrí @red_king87]

@mum1nm0t1i0n @PhilipProudfoot @SkyNews @TariqJabbar80

[hasanabi @hasanthehun]

ed sheeran is a coward, he chose the pro genocide side. this is solidarity. for justice to prevail, we must always speak truth to power no matter the cost.

[Tiberius @tiberiusfiles]

Kicking the ‘don’t commit genocide’ guy off your tour because it upsets the people who support the genocide is actually a blatant display of taking sides. There’s nothing neutral here, not even close.

[Nicole Jenes @NicoleJenes1]

@edsheeran you are a weak cunt!

Nobody is surprised by all you genocide apologists but just to let you know you had an opportunity to stand up to the blood thirsty bullies. You didn’t! Now watch your downfall, you out of touch parasites!

[Nicole Jenes @NicoleJenes1]

Naahhh @edsheeran is still a weak cunt!

In the hall of lame with Gal GaDon’t, Goy George and Pink Dark At Soul

There is no conflict! Is a genocide, occupation, apartheid and a parasitical nuclear heads regime! Free Palestine Ed! That’s the only side.

[liam cunningham @liamcunningham1]

If you find yourself saying
‘I’m not taking sides’
during a genocide, you are.
You most definitely are.

[Sarah @Sarahjdublin]

Another act has withdrawn

Irish acts like Aaron Rowe and Beoga are showing the world what having morals looks like

[KNEECAP @KNEECAPCEOL]

Bualadh bos to Beoga, Aaron Rowe and Finneas 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Leyla Hamed @leylahamed]

That statement from Macklemore on Instagram might genuinely be one of the best and most sincere statements I’ve ever seen from an artist on Palestine.

THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! 10/10

[Macklemore @macklemore]

Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.

[John Cusack @johncusack]

Solidarity - well said.

[Mark Ruffalo @MarkRuffalo]

The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect.  Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life.

This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country. Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle’s business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The $111 billion deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public. 

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for serious national security review, and regulators still haven’t given the public a real answer. Until they do, the merger shouldn’t move forward. Now is the time to dive boldly into all these issues, not step back or concede.

[☀️👀 @zei_squirrel]

the Israeli regime targeted, shot and killed journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, then released doctored videos claiming she was killed by "Palestinian terrorists", then months later admitted they intentionally killed her but let off her killers after a fake "investigation". Same playbook they're using now for Hind Rajab.