A year of stars for Gaza

Here are the stars who made their stance clear in 2024

As another year of horrific human culling in Gaza slips imperceptibly into the next, the images that flooded social media during the first quarter of 2024 have trickled to a solitary drip. Where all eyes were focused briefly on explosions in Rafah, all eyes now anticipate a different kind of explosion: fireworks ringing in the new year.

The horror, however, remains for those who are still trapped in Gaza, their lives forever marred by violence and loss. Joining the tide of outrage on social media, a large number of international artists risked their careers in 2024 with their pins, posts, songs, and interviews to condemn Israeli genocide. Here are the stars who stood out.

Nicola Coughlan

This Irish blonde beauty did not just steal hearts in Bridgerton's Penelope Featherington; as well as sporting an Artists4Ceasefire badge, she sealed her reputation by openly speaking up for persecuted Palestinians in an interview with Teen Vogue in April.

"There's a huge connection between Ireland and Palestine that maybe a lot of people aren't aware of, and a shared history," she explained. "To me it always becomes about supporting innocent people. Are we supporting innocent people no matter where they're from, who they are? That's my drive."

Throughout the year, Coughlan actively used her social media presence to draw attention to and raise funds towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She remains unfazed about the prospect of finding difficulty attracting future roles considering her political stance. Carrying the weight of her conscience, Coughlan revealed that what propels her forward is the knowledge that when she is on her deathbed, she can say she used her influence to make a positive impact around the world.

"You do get told, 'You won't get work', 'You won't do this,'" she admitted. "But I also think, deep down, if you know that you're coming from a place of 'I don't want any innocent people to suffer,' then I'm not worried about people's reactions."

Bella Hadid

It would be impossible to write about artists vocal about Palestinian support without mentioning American-Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid, whose stance has been well-documented. As part of her ongoing mission to raise awareness, Hadid turned heads during the Cannes Film Festival in May to make a powerful political statement through fashion as she donned a vintage dress reminiscent of the iconic keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

The dress, a striking red and white chequered design with distinctive fringe, echoed the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh. Hadid completed the ensemble with red Gucci mules, gold hoop earrings, and rectangular sunglasses, balancing high fashion with a meaningful message.

"While I still have to go to work, even through this horror, to wear our culture makes me a proud Palestinian, and I want the world to continue to see Palestine, wherever we go," captioned Hadid. "If you don't know what's happening right now in Gaza, watch my stories (and find other accounts leading to Palestinians on the ground) and please educate yourself on the ongoing occupation and genocide that is happening RIGHT NOW in Gaza. Do not be desensitised to the horror that is being endured by the Palestinian people."

Macklemore

If there was ever an anthem for Palestinian support, it would be American rapper Macklemore's single Hind's Hall, released in May. The Seattle native uploaded the fiery track to social media, promising that all proceeds from streaming services would go toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), aiding Palestinian refugees.

The song's title came from student protestors at Columbia University, who renamed the residence Hamilton Hall to Hind's Hall as a tribute to six-year-old Hind Rajab, tragically killed in Gaza by the Israeli forces. A poignant gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the song's visuals juxtapose footage of police violence against college protestors and deadly explosions in Gaza.

Macklemore amplified his efforts with the release of Hind's Hall 2 in September. As per the rapper's Instagram handle, Hind's Hall 2 was produced, written and performed by Arab-American singer Anees Mokhiber, Palestinian rapper MC Abdul, Palestinian-American author and comedian Amer Zahr, and of course, Macklemore himself.

Starting with the haunting line "In our lifetime we will be free", Hind's Hall 2 relates the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at the hands of Israeli forces. Macklemore revealed on Instagram that as with Hind's Hall, all proceeds from Hind's Hall 2 will go towards UNRWA.

Andrew Garfield

Everyone's favourite Spider-Man validated his celebrity crush status by voicing his stance on Josh Horowitz's Sad Happy Confused podcast in October. When host Horowitz asked The Amazing Spider-Man star, "Is there anything we need to manifest for you tonight?" Garfield replied, "We should be putting our energies towards something that actually matters—maybe the lives of Palestinians in Gaza right now."

Garfield's words elicited a roar of approval from the crowd as he continued sombrely, "Maybe that's where we should put our hearts and our energy, and anyone suffering, anyone oppressed, anyone that is suffering under the weight and the horrors of our world right now, anyone who doesn't have a choice in living lives of dignity. That's where our energies should be going right now."

As well as capturing the hearts of the live audience watching the podcast, Garfield's words resonated with the online community, with fans pledging their admiration for the actor in the comments section of whichever platform the clip was played.

"Thank God I didn't have to cancel my celebrity crush," wrote one fan. "And I love to see that standing up for Palestinians no longer feels as taboo as it once was."

Others who left a mark

Others who have been unabashedly pro-Palestine have included Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who has been vilified for speaking out in interviews against Israeli forces but remains steadfast in his stance. Rapper Saint Levant, whose real name is Marwan Abdelhamid, has paid homage to his Palestinian roots by announcing the release of his second album, Deira, in honour of a now-demolished hotel of the same name in Gaza. R&B singer Kehlani donned a keffiyeh at one of her concerts in July, as prominent a symbol of Palestinian solidarity as any. Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo and comedian Ramy Youssef, along with over 700 SAG-AFTRA signatories, signed an open letter demanding protection from blacklisting for their pro-Palestine stance amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The letter also called for a permanent ceasefire and condemned violence against journalists.

It will be harrowing to see how long these stars will have to speak out against Israeli atrocities, but judging by how the year unfolded, their support looks to continue in 2025.