A critical analysis of silent attitudes of famous icons during Israel-Palestine war

Abstract:

Celebrities have always played a pivotal role in formulation of the opinion and perception of
general masses. This study attempts to examine the role of celebrities in the conflict of Israel
and Palestine give a voice to this issue. It undertakes the perspectives of those who talks about
the conflict and those who did not bother to speak a word about it. This study is qualitative in
nature and designed to find out the importance of voices of famous icons about the issue and
whether their voice or their silence matters as their voice reflects their attitude, beliefs and
personal choices. Social media apps such as Instagram and X (Twitter) have been used to collect
data. Data are based on the stories, posts, and captions used by the celebrities to give voice to the
issue. Content analysis method is used to analyze data. CDA (critical Discourse Analysis) is the
used as theoretical framework for the study. Findings highlight that the role of celebrities is very
crucial in any issue because their attitude expose their real faces and fact of the matters and that
their role is important to bring the attention of people towards a particular issue. Some of the
celebrities have not raised voice being are apprehensive of losing their fan-following and avoid
any conflict of opinion. They also want to avoid being controversial or person interests.

Keywords: Israel-Palestine, icons, conflict, real face, silent attitudes.

Introduction

As the conflict between Israel and Palestine arises, a number of innocent children and people of
Palestine are killed by Israel. It has become an issue of humanity. People all around the world are
condemning the violence from Israel. Famous icons are actively participating and using their
social media handles to address the violence from Israel, but still there are number of icons
who’s voice matters but they are silent. The study is going to discuss their silent attitude. In this
regard, a look into the history of middle east can enhance the perception of this conflict.
Therefore, an overview of the issue constitutes the following section.

Israel, officially, came into existence in 1948 with an intention to provide Israel a safe land to
survive and thrive. Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. Then the Arabs were a
majority along with minorities like Christians. The nation was called Palestinians. They resister
the establishment of the Jewish State. The British who had colonized the territory proposed to
establish another homeland for Palestinians that would work alongside Israel, that is. Palestine.
However, the neighboring Arab countries opposed this proposal. they wanted that Palestine
should include the entire land including Israel. So they ensued physical resistance. Israel stood
victorious and occupied the land more that included in the British proposal. Since then the
skirmish goes on. Israel, being an ally of the super-powers of the world, teases and inflicts the
Palestinians. In 1967, she occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Currently, Gaza and the surrounding areas are at war. In 2006, Hamas won the local elections
and got control of Gaza UK and the US take Hamas a terrorist organization as it does not
recognize Israel and its right to exist and rule the locality. They claim that Palestine should
comprise the entire land area from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. That’s why, both
have been accusing each other of war crimes as civilians have be struck severely.

Up till now, Israel has been able to defended because of its powerful military and the spying
organizations. She has iron Dome which can shoots rockets of Gaza warriors before they can hit
Israeli land. Israel is killing the children and women violently and claims the wipe out the
fighters. He butchering of humanity in the area is a genocide of the Palestinians.

Various human rights organizations, rulers of the countries and icon personalities have raised
voice against the genocide of the Palestinians. Many of the icon are silent spectators till now.
Celebrities or famous icons are the very important part of society. They have great influence on
the lives of people. They attract people toward themselves and people set them as their role
models. They consider them shapers of their perceptions about the different issues or matters.

Research Objectives:

This study is discussing the attitude of celebrities during the war between Israel and Palestine.
The major part of the study is discussing the silent attitude of famous icons. It highlights how
and why they speak up or remain silent about the conflict. The main focus of the study is on the
silent attitude of famous icons to examine what could be the reasons behind their silence. It also
highlights how their statements about the matter shape public perceptions and how their silence
affects their public image.

Therefore, the research objectives of the present study are as follows:

 To determine the importance of raising voice of famous icons on the Israel-Palestine war
 To explore the effects of their silence on public perceptions

Research Questions:

The objective of this study is to explore the silent attitude of famous icons about ongoing war
between Israel and Palestine and to find out the reasons behind their silence or voice. To find out
these issue, the study raises the following research questions:

1) How does the role of famous icons during Israel-Palestine war reflect their attitude, their
beliefs and personal choices?

Methodology:

The present study is qualitative in nature. For this study data is based on the stories, posts and
captions, and hashtags used by celebrities to show their views regarding Israel-Palestine war.
The data is collecting through different social media apps such as X (formally known as Twitter)
and Instagram. To analyze data “Content analysis” method is used. Content analysis method is
an appropriate method for this study as it helps to understand the meaning, celebrities’
perspective and narrative of the story and what is their stance about the conflict.

Theoretical Frame work:

CDA is used as the theoretical framework for the existing study. It provides the way to analyze
the ideologies, language, and power dynamics within the texts, religious texts and sermons or
any form of religious discourse. It is useful to understand and uncover the role of language to
challenge beliefs, norms and power structure. it is not limited to religious discourse it is also
useful for discourses like political, social, cultural, and media discourse.

Discourse Analysis
According to Fairclough, Critical Discourse Analysis is something more than text analysis. An
interaction between text and member resources is the chief characteristic of the “process of
production” as well as “process of interpretation”. People integrate socially produced
practices(MR) and use them to take part in discourse as a social practice. The discourse
constitutes and is constituted by them in the society while Critical theory concerns how meanings
are created by both language production and consumption through an analysis of power interests
between individuals and society.

Dimensions of Fairclough’s Social Discourse Model

Fairclough’s three dimensional method of discourse analysis are: 1) linguistic description of a

text, 2) explanation of the relationship between the text and discursive processes and the text,
and 3) explanation of the relationship between social and discursive processes. The three
dimensions of the model have been elaborated in the following subsection. Fairclough suggests
that separate analysis of every level despite they overlap.

Description of text

Fairclough argues that the relationships existing between language and society are internal and
dialectical. It is worth mentioning that language is not only reflected and expressed by the social
issues, but it also reflects and expresses social processes and practices. It should be noted that
language and society do not compose equal facets of a single whole but society comprises the
single whole, and that language is a part of it. Accordingly, the primary dimension of the model
is discourse-as-text. At this level of analysis, the contents and the linguistic features of the text:
linguistic choices, that is, vocabulary (e.g., wording, metaphor), grammar, semantics, cohesion
and text structure are analyzed.

Discursive practices

The second dimension of Fairclough’s model discourse as-discursive-practice concerns the

production, reception and consumption of a text. He is of the view that the participants of certain
discursive practices get social identities, relations and cultural models, and provide situation for
their reproduction or transformation. Fairclough explains it with an example of parent-child
interaction which establishes family relationships. Similarly, interaction between a male and a
female in a workplace setting or outside constitutes gender relations in the society. The analysis
of this aspect includes the process of production, reception and consumption of text in a given
society. This stage places the text in wider context that contributes to this production and
consumption of the text.

Social practices/Explanation

The third dimension of Fairclough’s Model, discourse as a “form of social practice” (2001, p.
14), focuses on what are the social, ideological and hegemonic practices prevalent in the society,
and how these practices shape (and are shaped by) discursive practices. Social practices do not
only reflect reality but also influence social structures.

Fairclough suggests that the following elements may be key elements in the composition of any
social practice: Action and interaction;
Social conditions of production
Social relations; Persons (with beliefs,
attitudes, histories, etc.); the material world
semiosis (ibid.).
Process of production
This model of Fairclough has been given
in the figure below:

Text

Process of
interpretation

Interaction

Social conditions of interpretation

Context
 Figure. Discourse as text, interaction and context

Significance of the study:

The study aims to highlight the real faces of celebrities through their role in the ongoing Israel-
Palestine war. It uncovers the power dynamics and how the role of icons influence and change
the public perception. It aims to contribute to understand the importance of voicing up against
the issues such as specifically Israel-Palestine war that is effecting the lives of people and people
are dying in this war. It will help to understand the realities of famous icons that how use and
misuse their social media platforms.

Literature Review:

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is very controversial in the middle east and goes back
when Britain, during World War promised to establish a national homeland for Jewish nation in
Palestine but it turns into a conflict and that conflict is still going on. This conflict will over
when one of them get that land and control over it. As the time passes, there comes a great shift
in trends. Now the role and participation of celebrities from different fields takes a keen interest
in politics and social and international issues. Street (2004) and Littler (2017) stated that
celebrities have influenced political culture in representative democracies.

Angelina Jolie is renowned as social activist. She is very famous for his contribution toward
issues related to refugees and she brings the attentions of human activists towards the issues
related to humanitarian crises.

Tylor swift is a prominent name in Hollywood. In the recent years she appears as the political
activist. By using her platforms, she contributes a lot in the political issues like issues related to
vote, social rights, and racial issues.

Dyer (1979) in his work on Hollywood stars stated that celebrities are most commonly
demonstrated the ways in which the meanings they are associated with tend to strengthen the
dominant social order.

Ribke (2015) and Gamson (1994) states that, celebrities are seen as the most important elements
in the status quo legitimation machinery. This is appearing as the result of so many factors such
as they are the part of a powerful emerging economic entertainment industry and their main goal
is to deserve its own financial interests, they attempt to convert their fame into ideological goals
to achieve access.

Meyer (1995) and Street (2004) highlights that celebrities must preserve their positive image and
perceived as authentic. In this matter the celebrities like Bono, Angelina Jolie, and Bob Geldof as
an example who focused on humanitarian issues such as poverty, disease, and human rights in
the third world.

Mayer (1995), Street (2004) and Partzsch (2015) give their point of view in a way that when
celebrities involved in controversial issues they need to maintain and protect their social image.

Cloonan and Street (1997) states that celebrities gets political and societal change and tend to
bolster the hegemonic order. There are few activist celebrities such as Vanessa, Roger Waters,
and Redgrave who focused on consensual values and this is increased in recent years because of
celebrities’ growing leaning on social media to share their thoughts independently.

John Street (2004) calls influence of celebrities in social issues and politics as “celebrity
politics”. Now a wide range of studies are based on the role celebrities in cultural, social and
political matters.

Role of celebrities is very important to influence any social issue of highlight that issue at high
level. They have authority to address millions people towards cultural, social or political issues at
international level. They can use their media platforms to bring positive change, encourage
people towards serious issues and shape the perceptions of public.

Analysis:

Though Israel-Palestine emerged as a bilateral issue, it is being discussed internationally and the
role of social activists and famous icons related to different fields remained very important. They
influence the public opinions and their statements regarding present issue may guide the public
that how they should perceive the situation. Different celebrities related to different fields voice
up against the conflict of Israel-Palestine by using their social media platforms.
As Antonio Sanchez a Mexican composer and drummer. he has 23.7k+ followers on X and he
posted on her X account on OCT 17, 2023 that “The amount of violence and destruction is just
unbearable”. His post shows the solidarity towards Palestine. Though his social media he is
raising voice against the violence going on in Palestine. Ongoing conflict between Israel and
Palestine but it becomes the issue of humanities. Destruction of land and so many lives is not
acceptable.

Madonna an American singer, writer and actress she has 2.9M followers on X and 19M
followers on Instagram, on Oct 19,2023 through her X account raised voice against ongoing
torture on children by saying that” The children are always ours, every single one of them, all
over the Globe. Through her social media account she addresses the violence against children in
Palestine. Children are the most innocent and beautiful part of any society. Terrible behavior
with children in any society is not acceptable and in Israel-Palestine war children are the most
effected entity.

Maria Fatima B a very famous name in the fashion industry of Pakistan, she appeared as very
active to support Palestine by using her social media accounts. She has 5M followers on
Instagram. She boycotted Israeli products and on December 10,2023 she posted on her Instagram
account that “Never give upon Falastin, keep talking. Boycott for life. Don’t buy products that
support genocide. Our leaders are puppet and beghairat. We are not. We have control over our
pockets. Buy local, support Pakistan. Free Falastin InshaAllah”. Her this post shows both her
motive, anger, and her fighting through boycott against Israel. Motive towards never give upon
Palestine and she will always talk about this issue and anger towards the government and leaders
of Pakistan. By following her number of people boycotted Israeli products and the supporter
brands of Israel and her comment sections highlighting her efforts towards this conflict. Her
followers taking her as inspiration and boycotting Israeli products. Her steps and motives toward
Israeli-Palestine issue changing the public perceptions in a very positive way that people are
following her and taking inspiration from her.

American beauty artist and beauty blogger Huda Kattan, owner of renowned international beauty
brand “Huda Beauty” plays a significant role during Israel-Palestine war. She has 4M followers
on Instagram. She faced a lot of criticism for her support for Palestine. She boycotted Israeli
customers by saying that “I don’t need blood money” her statement becomes controversial. She
faced criticism from public but she is still stands with Palestine even on November 08, 2023 she
expresses her thoughts by saying that” We could end this together, if we all spoke out”. Her this
statement shows that how much important to speak up about this matter and money is not more
than lives of people. Even she received hate from the people for supporting Palestine as someone
commented on her post that “Huda Beauty products are going in my trash”, but there are so
many people who encouraging her on her support towards Palestine and she is supporting them
this is also inspiring for public.

These are some examples who played their role during the war of Israel and Palestine. These are
the people who are kind of inspiration for their followers. Their statements shape the point of
views of their audience and they become the figures of inspiration for their followers. As
celebrities raising voice against Israeli and promoting boycott. People are following them and
Israel is facing financial loss through this worldwide boycott.

Where we have brave famous icons, there we also have some celebrities who have followers in
millions and they can also influence millions of people towards write and wrong in the matter of
war but they never spoke h world about the conflict of Israel and Palestine.

Ronaldo has a great name in the world of football. He always speaks against for the violence. He
has a large audience of 617M followers; his voice matters a lot. Once his gesture for people to
drink water instead of Coca-Cola in Euro press conference in 2020 and Coca-Cola shares drop
$5 billion just because of his gesture against Coca-Cola, this is how hi matters for the world. It is
very strange to accept that he did not speak even a single world about the conflict between Israel-
Palestine. As his matters, his silence also matters. If he gave any statement about the violence
against innocent people it surely changes the public perception in positive way about the certain
conflict but he did not bother to speak a single word about the conflict.

Another very famous name who is still silent and did not speak even a single world about the
ongoing war that is Turkish actor Engin Altan Duzyatan. His silence is also very doubtful. This
should not be the attitude of any public figure whose voice matter. He became famous because of
his Turkish drama Dirilis Ertugrul, this drama is all about wars, conflict and establishment of
Islamic system. He should use his social media platform to address the conflict and his point of
view about the matter.

Not going too far, Imran Khan, ex-prime minister of Pakistan who gain popularity his one
statement “absolutely not” against America. He considered himself the ambassador of Islam and
humanity he is silent about the conflict between Israel-Palestine.

Not even the above mentioned personalities, but there are so many celebrities from different
fields are silent about the ongoing war. Even Islamic countries are silent about this. No one is
dare to talk about it. They are silent just to save their public face. They all have worldwide
social media audience, they are silent for their personal benefits, but they do not know what is
the importance of their voice against any matter. To highlight the importance of celebrity’s voice
Huda Kattan on November 08,2023 on her Instagram account posted that “where are the
“humanitarian” celebrities?! There is GENOCIDE happening in Palestine! Do the pictures and
videos of children dying mercilessly not haunt your souls? How DARE you stay quiet! We see
you clearly now, we will never forget”. He this post is showing a disappoint from the other
celebrities who have power to address the issue, who have a large number of followers and they
can shape the so many minds for the right path in this matter. She questions the silence of those
celebrities that how you can keep quite after watching the killing pictures and videos of children
and people in Palestine. How they can keep silence on this serious matter?

Findings:

War is always bringing destruction and killing with it. It not only effects the targeted people but
it also effects the whole universe mentally in both positive and negative ways. It is 20 th century
going on now people have different platforms to speak up about any issue or they can raise
question about the serious matter. So in this world any issue related to humanity is the issue of
all. As a huge conflict is going on between Israel and Palestine and the many international forces
are playing their role in it both in negative and positive way. The role celebrities are also
remained important in this issue they used their power of social media to raise the voice against
the violence. This war exposed the so many faces, their beliefs and attitudes toward humanity.
To address these issues the research is based on following research question.
How does the role of famous icons during Israel-Palestine war reflect their attitude, their
beliefs and personal choices?

Findings:

The role of celebrities remains very important during Israel-Palestine war. They raised the voice
against the violence of Israel towards Palestine and humanity. The issue of Israel is discussing by
celebrities on international level. Their participation in this conflict expose the so many faces in
both positive and negative way. They fight for the people of Palestine through their social media.
Their role is important to shape the perception of public. Mostly celebrities are considered as a
role model, their actions influence their followers. Those who raised voice in the favor of
Palestine or Israel their voice matters a lot in both sides because they are shaping the mind and
perspective of the audience. Though celebrities are participating actively but they are not unified
in their perspectives.

If there are celebrities like Maria B, Huda Kattan, Angelina Jolie etc. who are using their social
media power to fight against the valance then there are also the celebrities existing who did not
even bother to speak a word and there are also those celebrities present who are in the favor of
war. They are using their social media power to favor the war and distraction.

Celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Mayim Bialike, Amy Schumer etc. are those celebrities who have
followers in Millions and they are supporting ceasefire. So the people who are following them or
taking them as an inspiration they would definitely support the violence.

So the role of celebrities is very important in any issue. Their participation is important to bring
the public attention towards an issue. Their role is important to shape up the mind of young
generation because celebrities are the source of inspiration for them.

Conclusion:

The study is based on the role of celebrities during war between Israel and Palestine. It
highlights the importance of voicing up and being silent about the conflict between Israel and
Palestine. It shows that the role of famous icons is very important in any issue. They play a
crucial role to highlight the issues related to humanity, social, cultural or international issues
because they have a power of social media and they can use their power to change the mindset
and perspectives of public in both positive and negative ways.

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