Bollywood stars have taken a stand for Palestine, sharing the slogan “All Eyes On Rafah” on their Instagram stories. This slogan gained traction on social media after an Israeli airstrike killed over 45 displaced Palestinians in Rafah. Many of these victims were children and women, which spurred widespread outrage and condemnation.
This wave of celebrity activism marks a significant shift, especially given the backlash against those who chose to stay silent. Pro-Palestinian supporters and protestors have criticized silent celebrities, accusing them of being complicit in the ongoing violence. A trending ‘block list’ on Twitter called for boycotting those who did not speak out. In contrast, the Bollywood stars who voiced their support are being celebrated for using their influence to bring attention to the crisis in Gaza, particularly in the heavily impacted city of Rafah.
Indian celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and others joined the movement. They used their platforms to express solidarity with Palestinians and highlight the humanitarian crisis.
Alia Bhatt Shared A Heartfelt Post With #AllEyesOnRafah
Alia Bhatt reshared a post by The Motherhood Home on her Instagram story. The post read, “All children deserve love, safety, peace, and life. All mothers deserve to give their children those things.” She followed this with the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah. By sharing this message, Alia Bhatt expressed her solidarity with Palestinians and highlighted the suffering of families in Gaza. Her post resonated with many fans and brought more attention to what’s happening in Rafah.
Sonam Kapoor Continues To Speak Up
Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, known for her previous statements on Palestine, used her Instagram stories to voice her protest once again. She shared the viral image of refugee tents spelling out “All Eyes on Rafah.” Sonam Kapoor’s action adds to her ongoing support for Palestine, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Kareena Kapoor Khan Highlighted UNICEF’s Message
Kareena Kapoor Khan reshared a post on her Instagram stories from UNICEF’s official account. The post featured a quote by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. Catherine Russell condemned the killing of children and families in Rafah, calling the act “unconscionable.” By sharing this post, Kareena Kapoor Khan emphasized the need to protect innocent lives in conflict zones. Her action helped draw more attention to the crisis and support UNICEF’s call for peace.
‘All Eyes On Rafah’, Varun Dhawan, Tripti Dimri & Dia Mirza Also Joined The Trend
Varun Dhawan reshared the viral “All Eyes on Rafah” image on his Instagram story. Many people have reshared this image to raise awareness about the airstrikes and shelling in Rafah.
Animal famed actress Tripti Dimri posted the identical “All Eyes on Rafah” graphic to her Instagram story. This action shows her support for Palestine.
Actress Dia Mirza Rekhi also shared the trending image with a heartbroken emoji.
Richa Chadha Stands Against Israel
Heeramandi actress Richa Chadha posted visuals depicting the devastation in Rafah. She openly criticized those who continue to support Israel despite the ongoing conflict. By speaking out, she aimed to challenge prevailing narratives and advocate for justice for Palestinians. Her actions added to the growing chorus of voices demanding an end to the suffering in the region.
Priyanka Chopra Finally Spoke Out
Priyanka Chopra, often criticized for staying silent about Palestine despite being a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, took action on Instagram. She shared the “All Eyes On Rafah” image on her story without adding any words. By doing this, Priyanka Chopra joined the movement to raise awareness about the crisis in Rafah. Her actions helped bring more attention to the urgent need for peace in the region. Using her influence, she showed solidarity with the Palestinian people and highlighted their suffering.
Other notable personalities include Swara Bhaskar, Shilpa Rao, Nora Fatehi, Bhumi Pednekar, Huma Qureshi, Raftaar, Rakul Preet, and Konkona Sen Sharma. Additionally, Kim Sharma, Dhvani Bhanushali, Ayesha Takia, Gauahar Khan, Ileana D’Cruz, Malaika Arora, Madhuri Dixit, Hina Khan, Prince Narula, Palak Tiwari, Asim Riaz, Vishal Dadlani, Kajal Aggarwal, Jonita Gandhi, Munawar Faruqui, Ibrahim Ali Khan Pataudi, Athiya Shetty, and many others have voiced their support and reposted “All Eyes On Rafah.”
Their actions added to the global outcry against the violence. Several countries, global organizations, and celebrities condemned the Israeli air attack on tents housing displaced people in Rafah. This attack killed dozens of Palestinians, including many children. The Wafa news agency, citing the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), reported that many victims were “burned alive” inside their tents.
Despite the war raging for 234 days and claiming over 35,000 lives, it has taken this immense human toll to finally prompt Bollywood celebrities with the largest platforms to break their silence. While their delayed response is disappointing, we can only hope that their voices now contribute to raising awareness and pushing for peace. Better late than never!
