Her Majesty pointed out that for decades, the Palestinian narrative has been overshadowed, distorted, and silenced.
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah delivered a powerful keynote speech at the first-ever Web Summit Qatar conference on February 27th, renewing the urge for an immediate end to the war on Gaza and emphasizing the need for enduring Palestinian solidarity. The conference, held in Doha, provided a platform for global leaders, tech enthusiasts, and activists to discuss pressing issues, and Queen Rania’s address resonated strongly with the audience.
A Plea for Peace
The call for a Gaza ceasefire by Queen Rania came at a critical moment. The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering. Her Majesty questioned the unequal treatment of lives lost, asking:
“Why is the killing of some condemned, while the killing of others justified? Why is depriving one child of food a crime, but starving one million Gazan children an acceptable outcome of war?”
She highlighted the urgent need for unimpeded aid delivery to the besieged region, where basic necessities like food, water, and medicine are scarce.
Read More: Bethlehem Cry: Queen Rania Exposes the Harsh Reality in the Palestine-occupied Territories
Unmasking the Palestinian Narrative
Queen Rania pointed out that for decades, the Palestinian narrative has been overshadowed, distorted, and silenced. Palestinians have been dehumanized and discredited. This has resulted in “the bar for humanity” falling to new lows.
“Actions that were once unthinkable are now commonplace: Hospitals under fire. Houses of worship destroyed. Civilians killed with white flags in hand. How can we possibly make sense of that?” she asked.
Her Majesty explained that denying one side of a conflict the right to tell its story has resulted in an incomplete narrative.
“Palestinians are reduced to antagonists in someone else’s story: They are cast as terrorists and security threats, nothing more,” she said.
“Their status as an occupied people is glossed over. Their diverse population of doctors, educators, and activists is disregarded. Their many attempts at non-violent resistance – from historic strikes and civil disobedience to Gaza’s Great March of Return – have been crushed, even criminalized,” the queen added.
Deceitful propaganda dehumanized the Palestinians and portrayed them as mere antagonists in someone else’s story. People overlook their status as an occupied population, their resilience, and their non-violent resistance efforts. The Queen challenged us to see beyond the stereotypes and recognize the diverse population of doctors, educators, and activists within Palestine.
Read more: Queen Rania of Jordan…A source of Inspiration Through Truth and Compassion
A New Chapter
The recent attack, which occurred on October 7th, opened a new chapter in Israel’s occupation of Palestine. However, the larger story has been unfolding for 75 years. Her Majesty reminded us that denying one side the right to tell its story results in an incomplete narrative, in which Palestinians have not known a day of genuine peace, according to the statement.
“Acts of war are not always as clear-cut as an airstrike, an ambush, or an abduction,” she remarked. “Sometimes, violence takes the shape of a crippling 17-year blockade, as decades of almost daily deaths, and the endless indignities of life under occupation.”
Queen Rania underlined that the genocide in Gaza, “live-streamed to the world,” has left many in the West with “an uneasy sense that the Palestinian issue isn’t as black-and-white as they had been led to believe.”
Social Media as a Lifeline
In her speech, Queen Rania emphasized the role of social media in amplifying Palestinian voices. Despite the isolation faced by Gazans, they have turned to their phones to share their stories with the world. The harrowing images of suffering—burned children, wounded civilians, and devastated families—have flooded social media feeds, forcing us to confront the brutal reality of war, she said: “Babies covered in searing burns; children with bloody bandages where limbs should be; mothers peeling back shrouds to kiss angelic faces goodbye… Scrolling through these images of a merciless war, I find myself thinking, ‘It can’t get any worse.’ And then, it does,”
The Queen added: “The people of Gaza have never been more connected – yet never more isolated. Cut off from food, water, medicine, fuel, and everything required to sustain human life, they have continued to reach for their phones… to reach for us,”.
Despite the challenges, social media has become a lifeline for Palestinians. It allows them to share their truth, connect with the world, and seek solidarity. Queen Rania urged those who have amplified Palestinian voices online and offline not to let this become a passing trend. The people of Gaza need sustained support, empathy, and advocacy.
Queen Rania‘s passionate plea for a Gaza ceasefire and her unwavering commitment to Palestinian solidarity serve as a wake-up call. As we engage in conversations about the war on Gaza. Let us remember the human faces behind the headlines—the children, families, and communities affected by genocide. Only through collective action and empathy can we hope for lasting peace in the region.
