1) Can you please tell us why you made this video?

As well as an artist and Filmmaker, I’m also a chef (essential worker) in New York City. During the darkest days of the covid 19 pandemic I risked my life everyday to help 4 food relief programs feed the elderly homebound, homeless, quarantined college students, and low income unemployed families directly affected by the pandemic. I also feed over 50 to 100 kindergarten and pre-school scholars and teachers and faculty who get up everyday to educate and care for them. So as you can imagine, viewing the horrible video and images of Israel’s indiscriminate siege and bombs dropping on the homes and schools sheltering children with some left still trapped under the rubble,  completely broke my spirit and hit me in a much deeper place. If I was a parent then I would probably feel even worse. This film was also made with the hope and intention to reconnect us all back to our Humanity.

2) It’s evident from the video that the incidents in Gaza have deeply affected you. We want to know if you have any personal connection to the story.

I think first and foremost that my connection to the film is from a spiritual and human perspective. As the son of parents and family who lived through the Jom Crow south and civil rights movement era, I could sympathize with the struggle of Palestinians even more. As I began to dive deeper into my research and education on the decade long conflict. I uncovered some very disturbing revelations that like many were never taught to me in school or by western mainstream media outlets. These shocking revelations and truths connected me even more into the story and would ultimately help to shape my character Salim who I play in the film. After the film was released I received many notes of thanks from many people from all walks of life who were actively involved in the struggle for palestinian freedom and liberation.

One pm I received really touched my heart. It was from the daughter of parents who experienced the Nakba ethnic cleansing, who like many families (750,000 from 1947 to 1949) were forcefully removed and displaced from their homes.

Through this period over 531 palestinian villages were also destroyed by the occupation.

3) Who is Salim? Is he a real person or a fictional character?

Well honestly I would have to say that my character Salim is indeed a real person. In my eyes and in the eyes of so many others he represents the hundreds and thousands of husbands and fathers who have lost their homes, wives and children in the ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza. Salim is set behind the backdrop of a huge key poised atop the entrance gate to the Aida Refugee Camp, in Bethlehem. The key is a powerful image of hope and optimism in my film symbolising the Palestinians’ Right of Return, enshrined by the United Nations Resolution 194 resolved. The #194 engraved on these keys are a reminder of that Resolution. This key also represents the key to the doors of the homes of Palestinian families who were forced to flee before and after the creation of Israel in 1948. They took these keys with them in anticipation of their eventual return.

UN Resolution 194 resolved : “That the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible; [it also] Instructs the Conciliation Commission to facilitate the repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees and the payment of compensation, and to maintain close relations with the Director of the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees and, through him, with the appropriate organs and agencies of the United Nations.” It is worth remembering that this resolution, passed by the UN General Assembly in December 1948, was endorsed by both the US and the UK. Till this day sadly the refugees still await its implementation.

4) Why did you choose to create a music video?

As an artist and filmmaker music and film has always been my own style of expression and storytelling. Some may view it as a music video, while others may view it as a Documentary produced in a music video like style. I was inspired by the popular Afro-Beat rhythm which became the very canvas of the film’s theme song where more musical elements could then fall into place.

5) Given that Gaza is still in turmoil, what do you believe should be the solution to this ongoing problem?

I get asked this very same question from many of my jewish friends, associates and confidants, and my reply is always the same. End the Occupation which is the root core of the conflict. Release of all the thousands of palestinian hostages, men women and children who were arrested, detained, tried, sentenced and jailed for years with no legal due process. End the apartheid system that gives one set of rights to Israelis and another to Palestinians, in a free and just democracy all rights should be the same equal. End the illegal settlement expansion and building, to show good faith and salvage remotely left of a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict. Grant all Palestinians the Right of Return that was Promised to them.

All Israele’s should Vote to replace the current prime minister (in court on corruption charges with an arrest warrant issued by the ICC) and his entire right wing government. By their own incriminating and often violent statements. It is clear to so many, and even those in Israel, that the government currently in place is not interested in a peaceful solution to the conflict at all. Truths echoed by their multiple violations during the ceasefire agreement and the ultimate sabotage and dismantling of the entire agreement as a whole. This all unfolded just as the remaining hostages were about to be released in the 2nd phase of the agreement. Lastly I would say that Israel needs to come back to the negotiation table and negotiate in fairness, a 1 or 2 state solution for long lasting peace between the 2 sides.

6) Will you create more videos on this topic in the future?

Yes I will. I’m currently in production to produce a follow up film on gaza entitled: “The Children”. I also have a second film in production that addresses the huge immigration issue and topic in our country entitled: “Right of Passage”

7) The images of atrocities shown in your video are startling. Do you think they will have an impact on viewers?

With a Best Jury award, Best Audience Choice award and Best Film of the Year consideration from 2 prestigious film festivals. I think the film has already had a tremendous impact on viewers. Showing them a human side to the conflict, as well as a 9 minute educational lesson for all those who may have had no clue on where or how the conflict originated. It’s fair and transparent to say that it did not begin on October 7th.

8) Many world leaders still fail to recognize that ordinary Palestinians are dying every day. What message would you want to convey to them to help them acknowledge these Israeli atrocities?

To all the world leaders including our commander and chief Donald Trump. Who many voted for on the promise he made that he would be an end to all wars president. Now all those in his maga movement can clearly see that was just another campaign lie. In his first few months in office he has lifted the sanction order on illegal settlers who are still actively committing settler violence and forcefully terrorising and stealing the land and homes of palestinian citizens with full protection from the Idf. He’s given billions of our tax dollars to Israel to arm them with dirty bombs that they continue to drop in very dense areas in Gaza killing hundreds of children, all while waging a war on Lebanon in retaliation for their committed stand and solidarity for their brothers and sisters in Gaza.

I don’t think that there is much that I could convey or do to help our president or world leaders acknowledge what they already know is happening in palestine. They have the same phones that we all have and get the same news feeds every day filled with horror, starvation, hunger, death, pain and agonizing sorrow unimaginable in our lifetime.

To all the world leaders who have helped in some way shape form or fashion in the facilitation of this collective punishment, genocide and ethnic cleansing of the palestinian people. Even those who have been silent and complicit. I would say and encourage them all to have the courage to stand on the right side of history and humanity. To demand that Israel must agree and comply with the ceasefire agreement they signed to the 2nd phase. And that they end the blockade and rush in much needed life saving food, water, aid, medicine, tents, heavy machinery for rescue workers and all other items needed to sustain life back into gaza. I would say to them all that it’s time to cut off all financial ties with AIPAC, and end the arms embargo with Israel who continues to operate with full impunity, with no red lines violating basic humanitarian and international law. The atrocities that we have all been seeing for over a year now, can end if all the measures i mentioned can be implemented immediately.

The children, women, men and elderly of Gaza do not have much time left. If the bombs that fall don’t kill them, then disease, starvation and hunger will.

9) By the way, what is your opinion on the attack of October 7, 2023?

This is yet another question I get asked alot about. Primarily from many of my jewish friends and associates that ive known for years, that I never knew were in fact, self proclaimed pro zionists. I stated to one former friend that I absolutely denounce what happened on October 7th. A single life lost on either side of this decade-long conflict truly bothers me. But as a humanitarian and documentary filmmaker I am always in search of truth and transparency. What also bothered me was the initial narrative by Israel that was immediately put out proceeding the attack. A narrative that even the white house and all western media ran with with no solid or concrete evidence. The claims of Babies slaughtered, Bodies desecrated. Young people burned alive. Women raped. Parents executed in front of their children, children in front of their parents immediately went viral.

However, in the horror of this massacre, in which 38 minors including two infants were killed, there were never 40 decapitated babies. Not in Kfar Aza nor in any other kibbutz, the Israeli government press office confirmed.

There is multiple proof that Israel in fact exaggerated accounts of atrocities committed by Hamas to dehumanise Palestinians as its military continued its deadly genocidal war in Gaza. On the most serious claim of rape there was an article I read by Trtworld.com with report by the (AP) associate press about Chaim Otmazgin a volunteer commander with ZAKA, an Israeli search and rescue organisation who were among the first to arrive on the scene. In the article he claimed that he saw the body of a teenager, shot dead and separated from her family in a different room. He “thought” that was evidence of sexual violence. He alerted journalists to what he’d seen. He recounted the details in a nationally televised appearance in the Israeli Parliament. In the frantic hours, days and weeks that followed the raid, his testimony ricocheted across the world, mostly peddled by Israeli and sympathetic Western media. But it turns out that what Otmazgin thought had occurred in the home at the Jewish settlement that was once an Arab village and a farm hadn’t happened. Many accounts from that day, like Otmazgin’s, proved untrue.

“It’s not that I invented a story,” Otmazgin claimed The Associated Press in an interview, detailing the origins of his initial explosive allegation — one of two by ZAKA volunteers about sexual violence that turned out to be unfounded.

“I couldn’t think of any other option” other than the teen having been sexually assaulted, he said. “At the end, it turned out to be different, so I corrected myself.”

But it was too late. Debunked accounts like Otmazgin’s have encouraged skepticism and fuelled a highly charged debate about the scope of what occurred on October 7 — one that is still playing  out on social media and in college campus protests.

Another in particular in reference to the 1,200 people killed as well as Israeli’s haphazard military reaction -that allegations suggest did not distinguish between Hamas fighters and Israelis- and 250 taken hostage.

This was exposed by: Yaniv Kubovich and featured in Israel’s most popular publication The Haaretz. In the article it claimed that the IDF Ordered the Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas from Taking Soldiers Captive.

In the article they also wrote the following:

‘There was crazy hysteria, and decisions started being made without verified information’: Documents and testimonies obtained by Haaretz reveal the Hannibal operational order, which directs the use of force to prevent soldiers being taken into captivity, was employed at three army facilities infiltrated by Hamas, potentially endangering civilians as well”. – Source: Haaretz by: Yaniv Kubovich

The Israeli military told the AP that the army did not do any forensic work in the wake of October 7. So the Le Monde‘s investigation asks the question in the article of how did this false information come about? Can it be compared to the Kuwait incubator affair, a fabricated tale of kidnapped and massacred babies that was partly used to justify the first Gulf War? Le Monde‘s investigation sheds light on a rumor born organically, out of a mixture of emotion, confusion and macabre exaggeration. Israel has done nothing to fight it and has more often tried to instrumentalize it than deny it, fueling accusations of media manipulation. – (Source: Le Monde. AP)

So my opinion on the attack of October 7, 2023 from a human perspective is the same,  every life lost matters. But in reference to many of the false, debunked and retracted claims from notable sources that were initially reported right after October 7th.

I would say myself and many others would find them to be very disturbingly suspect indeed. As the conversation I had with my jewish friend continued on this very subject of what is your opinion on the attack of October 7, 2023. To also be very truthful and transparent I had to remind her that this decade long conflict did not start on october 7th, 2023. I began to then share with her this list of major Israeli massacres and killings that occurred after the British decided in February of 1947 to terminate their mandate and implement a partition plan for Palestine:

Deir Yassin Massacre (April 1948)

Abu Shusha Massacre (May 1948) Tantura Massacre (May 1948)

Lydda Massacre (July 1948) Saliha Massacre (October 1948)

Al-Dawayima Massacre (October, 1948)

Qibya Massacre (October 1953)

Kafr Qasim Massacre (October 1956)

Khan Yunis Massacre (November 1956)

Sabra and Shatila Massacres (September 1982)

Al-Aqsa Massacre (October 1990)

The Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre (February 1994)

Jenin Refugee Camp (April 2002)

10) Last question: What message would you like to share with artists who have yet to raise their voices against Israeli atrocities?

I personally know many music artists and notable Hollywood celebrities with social media platforms much bigger than mine, who have not yet spoken out or raised their voices against Israeli atrocities or the war in Gaza at all. I think this may be due to the ever so present cancel culture fear of backlash and retribution from both the music and film industry of which the zionist entity controls. I too was even warned by my own PR and management team to produce my film “Humanity” at my own risk. That such a film could literally damage or hinder any of my own Hollywood ambitions, dreams, goals or aspirations in the entertainment business. For me I think it was more of a personal choice. As an artist, filmmaker, entrepreneur, humanitarian and also a Chef. There was never a day (while on my culinary contracts, one in particular for a school cooking and serving breakfast and lunch for kindergarten and preschool scholars & faculty) when I would look at all the children I served, and not think about all the children in Gaza suffering everyday. When I had to discard and throw out  bags of food at the end of my shift, it would sadden me tremendously and break my spirit :-(, knowing that with the current food shortage and blockade in Gaza at the time, was forcing displaced children to eat grass :-(.

My work and artist persona is pretty much known in the independent film industry genre. But I do often ask myself that if I was more famous in the Hollywood genre, would I have taken such a stand of solidarity for palestinians?. I mean the only backlash I received thus far was my personal IG account that I had for years in the very early stages of my career, suddenly terminated by the Meta platform :-(. But this happened to me only once compared to IG accounts of others that were terminated over 5 to 6 or 10 times more. I’ve had loyal fans and followers who recently found and reconnected back to me again saying: “Why did you delete me?”, “where did you go or disappear to” lol. When I told them the reason, many were shocked! But not surprised. To be truthful it felt kind of good to be missed :-). Yes, losing an account that I and my team had built up for years was a huge loss :-(. But that truly fails in comparison to the insurmountable number of losses that millions of Palestinians have experienced, suffered, endured and persevered through, not only after October 7th, but for over 75 plus years of occupation.

I read an article in The Guardian by: David Smith that was released on Saturday December 2, 2023 entitled: “People are being penalised’: Hollywood divided over Israel-Hamas conflict”. There was a segment in the article on Rae Abileah, a social change strategist, Jewish faith leader, author, and editor for collective liberation. Rae Abileah, who in 2011 disrupted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress, says: “It’s incredible that so many celebrities are speaking out for a ceasefire”. “There has been somewhat of a gag order on people to speak out because there’s been so much fear of repression, of being blacklisted, of being labelled – wrongfully of course – as antisemitic. The number of people that signed on to a ceasefire and the calibre of celebrities that signed on is pretty amazing. Of course some are facing repercussions and we need to fight back against that because people are facing issues of job loss left and right.”. In the very same article Abileah, recalls meeting Hollywood actress Sarandon years ago at a protest against the Iraq war. “She’s an inspiring person for her consistency of being anti-war but there’s a lot of others who are newcomers who are speaking out and it takes a lot of courage to do that when you think future work might be on the line. “But it’s nowhere near the amount of courage that it takes to wake up in the morning and go through another day with your children when you’re in Gaza City.”

(Source: The Guardian by: David Smith “People are being penalised’: Hollywood divided over Israel-Hamas conflict” Saturday December 2, 2023.)