'I am you': NYC Vigil Honors Palestinian Poet Dr. Refaat Alareer

“I am you. I am your past. And by killing me, you kill you.”
Activists in New York City held a vigil for Dr. Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian poet assassinated by Israel.
The activists read a poem by Refaat titled “I am you,” written to the soldiers of the Israeli occupation.
#BreakThroughNews

[@Threeangels1976]

I am not Palestinian. I am a jew, andI stand with you in this horrific, heart breaking genocide. You must go to the courts of law, and show all the evidence you have, and seek justice. YOU MUST.

[@andyhughes8433]

This poem has left me in tears and numb. So much pain, too much pain. Oh Palestine, you are in our hearts and minds.

[@PerceivedREALITY999]

We cannot remain silent while witnessing injustice. His life was cut short, but his words will echo in eternity.

[@user-vm5fj6we7h]

This is deep, such powerful words. I cant beleive he wrote such peaceful poem even thought he was experiencing such atrocities of a genocide.

[@reverseflashes]

IDF called him, told him they knew which school he was taking refuge in and they told him that they were going to kill him. He didn't want people to die because of him so he left the school to stay with his sister. He, his sister, and his sister's kids all died after the occupation forces bombed the building they were staying in. This is not war, not self-defence; this. Is. Genocide. This is war crime. May he and every Palestinian martyr rest in peace. FREE PALESTINE! 🇵🇸

[@zoyailpatel3608]

Free Palestain,❤❤❤

[@itzelouise8714]

😢💔

[@Lass-Mi-Ran-Da]

Fafo at its best. At least he got a call, Hamas didnt make calls. Did IDF sprinkle baking powder on the bomb as a last response about his joke of baking jewish kids? Btw, the phones of looting gazans and Hamas terrorists showed which apartheid and genocide they try to establish.

[@Racedoc]

It is not called IDF it is the occupation Israeli army.

[@mramahmed5305]

Free free palestine 😭💔🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@buttcheeksguy]

you may kill the poet, but you can't kill the poems.

[@berylackermann8240]

True. His legacy lives on in the hearts of many.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

Never heard of him. Did he write gay childrens books?

[@buttcheeksguy]

Now you do, even though you are desperately trying to leave a snarky comment.@@imperialmotoring3789

[@KGraceSpeaksKea1335]

​@@imperialmotoring3789Never heard of him until today. What an inspiration for humanity are his words. True courage, bravery most of all➡️LOVE. May he rest in peace.

[@chrisperez3614]

@@imperialmotoring3789most empathetic Israel supporter

[@SourceAwareness]

Refaat, True Hero! 💜 The whole world is seeing the TRUTH, Israel. There is no turning back. The world is now knowing what Palestinians have been going through for 75+ years. Blessings, Everyone

[@donnavorce8856]

YES

[@mimitinytube]

A beautiful soul taken away from us too soon…

[@suntonfille5502]

Brave young woman reading this so powerfully. I would have broken down more than once. Such a powerful poem, particularly when he says 'I don't hate you, I want you to stop hating me...' These are the words of a great poet and extraordinary human being. Those who murdered him will pay for their war crimes.

[@mary-clarecarder3709]

I'd give your statement two thumbs up if I could!

[@samara6041]

Rest in POWER Dr.Refaat. We will NEVER forget 🤍

[@azizcherkaoui2135]

“The wars will end and the leaders will shake hands, and that old woman will remain waiting for her martyred son, and that girl will wait for her beloved husband, and the children will wait for their heroic father, I do not know who sold the homeland but I know who paid the price”. Mahmoud Darwish,Palestinian Poet (1941-2008)

[@donnavorce8856]

Old men addicted to power and wealth ruining the world. They'll kill anyone who stands in their way of craving ever MORE wealth and MORE power. These old addicts are everywhere in the world. Wreaking havoc with their very existence.

[@audreydaleski1067]

You have to live this truth to write it.

[@ChristinaGerlach]

No words, just tears.

[@nedson6503]

These are words.

[@keithwaters3439]

Freedom from Violence for all People 🙏🏻

[@stephanmoris2515]

your compassion means a lot

[@AnActualDinosaur]

I'd been following Refaat for a few years now, watched him countless times live in the Electronic Intifada and many other places, even talked to him a few times on Twitter (where he was often full of humor)... Beyond saddening, it's truly bizarre to have someone you've talked to just be assassinated... And nothing happens to the murderers. In fact, they're helped by western countries. And, yes, for those who don't know, he was assassinated (along with his family, which included children). Israeli forces even contacted him a few days before he died to let him know they were coming for him (that's why he left the school he was taking shelter in, to not put all the other people there in even more danger).

[@aye3678]

It honestly breaks my heart.

[@moonshine9902]

​@@aye3678 It is a heartless world. How is it possible to commit such wickedness and sit down and eat with family?

[@Cui-bono987]

Wow.

[@colorswordsandlearning]

I am sorry for that loss.. that poem was so powerful..

[@rebeccamills9067]

This is truly appalling, they are deliberately targeting poets now?

[@user-bw2if1gz9y]

He has gone by the brutality of the terror state but all his beautiful poems will be printed in every human’s heart. His wonderful soul will shine in heaven. His precious memory will be kept in every books, in every mind for generations 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@kanizfatema3061]

My heart is aching for you , my eyes are tearing for you every day . Oh my dear Palestinian you are and will always be remembered in my heart especially in my prayers until my death In Shaa Allah.

[@jewsagainstfalce]

Beautiful humanity. Freedom for everyone 🇵🇸✨

[@Mohassen5]

The right side of history, the true humanity

[@Big-toon]

Why on earth did Palestine people vote for Hamas in there Elections

[@hanifmsomc]

Why on earth did Israeli's vote for Liqud

[@nedson6503]

​@@Big-toonThey represent

[@rosilenesousa361]

Thank you! Sweet emphatetic poem! ❤Free Palestine, stop the genocide and give palestinians their occupied territory back❤

[@ron0311]

Mmmm.... no.

[@jamesnieman2953]

Read the definition of genocide.....not even close.

[@selecttvofficial]

the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group. this is the definition warmonger @@jamesnieman2953

[@selecttvofficial]

warmonger @@ron0311

[@Logia1978]

​@jamesnieman2953 What an uknown uneducated warmonger bigot on social media thinks is irrelevant: Holocost scholar, Professor Omer Bartov of Brown University warns: "Clear intention of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza".

[@zebz2284]

So sad, so heart breaking, have no words😭

[@hadirmaamouri4204]

I mourn him ..like I mourn a brother ..a beautiful human being that will live through his poems and words..May God have mercy on him

[@Lovewins0356]

So disheartened by the murder of this great man. He knew Israhell was going to kill him. May is his work and legacy will never be forgotten.

[@daisukedomino7155]

I’m Japanese and not Muslim but always stand with Palestine !!! Love and peace ❤️🇵🇸❤️

[@Big-toon]

Why the Muslims would kill you for not believing in Islam

[@saimafaisal4126]

🙏🙏🙏

[@massabmiharbi7931]

I was born a Palestinian Muslim, and as I grew up, I didn't believe in any religion, but I still believe in my Palestine because it is not about religion. The Zionist make it about religion, but half of migrated israelis don't believe or even practice religion. I believe in one solution, one parliament, one state, one man, one vote irrespective of colour race or even religion like every democratic state in the world

[@Mohassen5]

The right side of history, the true humanity

[@Racedoc]

We have great respect and love for Japan. I had numerous Japanese friends over the years there were nothing short of polite and honest.

[@coleengoodell7523]

Powerful. A spirit like that never dies but shines on brightly for eternity.

[@augustodelerme7233]

I am you 🫵

[@placeofvalue]

Very profound. I Am You. Free Palestine the people of God.

[@lillybonney2591]

May Allah granted heaven to all brother's, sister's,children's and all UMMAH MUSLIMS Palestinian ☪️ Aameen..99x Allahuma Aameen 🤲🤲🤲.

[@jylyhughes5085]

Ameen Ameen Ameen 🤲🌹🤲🇵🇸

[@maryamal-ghazali8626]

Ameen 🤲🏼🤲🏼🤲🏼

[@Racedoc]

Proud to be Palestinian.

[@randyborstol2491]

Greatest most brave people on earth. The Palestinian population has increased 10 times since 1948 worldwide.

[@mjg8134]

And so you should be free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@jsidkfncjfdldld]

Gaza is getting turned into a parking lot 😂

[@mary-clarecarder3709]

@@jsidkfncjfdldld Utterly heartless.

[@cruisemissileFJB]

Nazi

[@AYK894]

this is heartbreaking

[@nosaib...3093]

Rest in peace Dr Refaat.💔 #JusticeForPalestain

[@holgol00]

Thank you so much for this

[@user-lz7qv3mg6g]

Thank you for telling the truth Dr. Refaat the world now knows the truth R.I.P. Free Palestine.😁🖤🤍💚❤

[@encomunismo]

Dr. Refaat Alareer 🙏🏾❤

[@ozzy7590]

This is heart-wrenching! What threat can a poet pose to anyone?

[@lulam8840]

The pen is mightier than the sword and Israel knows that

[@Hanhan099]

A PEN. something Isreal can’t tolerate and it’s not the first time they assassinated a writer

[@sweetlan9319]

They want him to silence them because he spoke about any tool that they consider a weapon

[@patriciabraunschweiler5427]

Dr. Refaat Alareer, may your beautiful soul finally find Peace.

[@Imrankhan-pw4ow]

Such a passionate rendition. God bless you awesome people, your humanity inspired me today. From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.

[@Asad-2166]

There must be someone who can take youtube to court because deleting people's comments can be right

[@misafir716]

Evet Filistin yanlısı yorumları siliyorlar

[@hand4529]

You can delete theirs as well, press onto the three dots on the right side of the comment the n select report then select misinformation these

[@YouCanNotVoteOutFascism]

#JusticeForPalestine #FreePalestine

[@shabanamazher767]

Refaat is still alive in his poetry

[@heathcliffearnshaw1403]

❤ powerfull

[@FloridaCracker-et5mw]

Absolute crap!

[@magnolia9432]

❤🙏🇵🇸 Peace with justice Free Palestine #CeaseFireNow

[@userme2803]

Look at people who attended this vigilant, they are from everywhere, different ethnics, ages, sexes, wow this opened people eyes. RIP Dr.

[@missf4681]

May God bless and keep palistine. My heart brakes with what is going on. I will never look at isreal the same again ❤❤❤

[@NinaTuthill]

Beautiful, so painful as well

[@daisybugzy]

God bless all for your support and 🙏🏽 prayers and love

[@yasmeenmomani1743]

His words touched my soul, isn't 75 years of suffering enough to make the world open their eyes??

[@derekmorse8171]

we are all you As you show us how to love Of us who feel the fury To transcend the hate and rise above

[@mohammedislam131]

He became immortal in billions of people’s hearts !!!

[@ghostmobiil]

Beautiful very beautiful and sad that another has been murdered by Israel. Refaat you and your family will be missed 💔

[@hannahbb9219]

A world without justice doesnt deserve to exist.

[@MrSuperpak]

Heard him on Ted talks and read his poetry after his martyrdom. Blessed soul

[@ruslantemirov7800]

О Аллах, помоги мусульманам держаться вместе и помоги нам против беззаконников. Амин!

[@4imagesmore]

Thank-you, New York.

[@pac17284]

May God grant you peace and eternal rest and welcome you into the light of His face Amen

[@rafthejaf8789]

A regime that feels it has to kill a poet is doomed. RIP Refaat.

[@HamzaAhabbane]

It had done it numerous times in the past.

[@stephanmoris2515]

thank you so much guys

[@Kate-lb9wr]

"The biggest insult to the memory of the holocaust is not denying it but using it as an excuse to justify the genocide of the Palestinian people." - Norman Finkelstein

[@hanihani8612]

You will always live on in our heart.

[@johnfisher7794]

NaZi ends and literally Zion begins.

[@butterflybeatles]

And the two are polar opposites.

[@BedoTFD]

Zionism is Nazism, but better. Nazis went on for 10 years, Zionism been going on for over 75 years, most succesful Terrorist Regime in history.@@butterflybeatles

[@shortclips4267]

@@butterflybeatlesno both are built upon the notion of racial superiority

[@butterflybeatles]

Ah, yes, we must keep in mind that there is only one superior race.@@shortclips4267

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Two deeply racist violent ethno fascist states built on racial superiority and thinking they are a master race , Yes you're right total opposites . Israel.even had that lovely Na*zi youth song last week singing about the pure and beautiful and blood and soil , Himmler was smiling in his grave listening to it .

[@FreePALESTINE37383]

May every single Palestinian be freed and live to see a free and happy Palestine 😢🫶❤️🇵🇸

[@AliceDagobert]

Killing the beauty, love and wisdom of this people! How can you be so blind?! It's like shooting a beautiful bird singing a wonderful song.

[@Ben_fairguy]

These words are deep and powerful - free Palestine

[@islamtawheedsunnahmanhaj-u8499]

May Allah raise the status of dr refaat in Jannah and all other martyrs of PALESTINIANS - ameen

[@SharonPoet]

Dear Palestinian and Arab people, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I was told that you were "terrorists" - just cruel people who kill for the sake of killing, with no reason for it. I didn't know that you had been so deeply hurt, and so cruelly wronged, and so trapped for so long, that you started seeking vengeance. I did not even check into it until recently. But I finally did and now I know. Although my voice appears to be just yet another little "worthless" one, in the parts of our world that have not yet seen our value, I hope it helps you. My heart is with you and is praying for you to have the safety and freedom and peace you long for and should have been allowed to retain in Palestine. I'm so sorry that this horrid violence is still happening to you. I hope the Heart of humanity quickly helps you to restore your Palestine into the place where you are safe and free, so that you no longer have to fight for it to be. After this round of violent fighting is over, I hope you let your tears cry out the pain and anger so that you heal and do not continue seeking vengeance. I hope you lay down your swards and settle into a place of peace and Love within yourselves, for your own sakes. I hope Love and peace and freedom wins, for you and your precious Palestine, because it is what is right and fair. Message for Israel Dear Jewish immigrants in Palestine/"Israel," I understand that you wanted a peaceful place of your own, so that you could be safe from the wrongs that were done to you in Germany...etc. But, you cannot attain it through thieving and killing or through following other people's controlling ways. I hope you heal - I hope you let your tears wash away the pain that was inflicted upon you, so that you do not continue to inflict it upon others. I hope you, and all who set you up there, find your hearts and connect to the real God - the God that is Love - the God/Love that guides people into being compassionate - into being kind and considerate and peaceful and accepting of other people's differences and other people's rights to safety and freedom and peace in their own homes and on their own lands. In the 1940s you could have honored the real God/Love who wanted you to "Love thy neighbor," but you chose to hate them and get rid of them, and this has filled sacred lands with blood and agony and rage and it just has to stop. And please stop blaming your victims. The Palestinian people fighting back is not the root problem here - its what you did to drive them into seeking revenge. Please realize your own mistakes - your own "terroristic" behaviors and choose a better way. The Heart of humanity is begging you to choose the way of Love and peace. Can't you hear it calling out to you from the streets all around the world? "Free Palestine" also means 'Love Palestine, instead of continuing to control and destroy it.' Israel, please cease fire now! Please set Palestine free and let it settle into a place of peace and healing, for those of you who have been hurt, and for the native Arab/Palestinian people. Please let Love into your hearts enough to embrace the native Arab people and let them freely live in their own homes and on their own lands. The time for this is long overdue. Please do it now. Please lay down your swards and pick up your Hearts. Please let Love/God in.

[@sudeshramdhanie6216]

@SharonPoet, Your words brought tears onto my face, you might think your comment to be insignificant, but I assure you , every one of these comments open the eyes of many who were just like you, the millions of protesters showing that which had been kept hidden under the rug after being swept there by the Zionist and their supporters. Thank you for tears.

[@Maj-cy6iq]

This so beautifully said, it brought tears to my eyes. Appreciate this powerful message, thank you x

[@Dragon3514-m9u]

God bless those that stand with humanity and Palistine amen 🙏 🙌 ❤️

[@peaceful1435]

Genocide in its worst form

[@sltwtr806]

and yet those remain that deny it. the blind remain blind

[@andteaperry9789]

May Refaat find peace and glory with Allah. May his work live on. Yes it will live on!!!

[@yakakay8686]

Allah yerhamou ou yerham chouhada falastine

[@nosheenraza1424]

That was a beautiful poem. What a beautiful soul.

[@pompomwawa]

thank you new yorkers,respect

[@Caocao8888]

I was just reading about a Franciscan monk who said that while working in Jerusalem, Jewish children and students would curse and spit on him every day. Every day! And there are YT videos of tourists and Christians on pilgrimage receiving the same vile treatment. 🇵🇸🇺🇸

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Been going on forever ,I remember videos and stories about it from 20-25 years ago .

[@diagorasofmel0s]

Forever etched in the memory of humanity.

[@angelinakostova8920]

Вечна Слава во Царството Божјо за Др. Рефаат Алареер и за сите жртви меѓу неговиот страдален палестински народ!

[@Asad-2166]

May Allah swt RATH come unto the youtube for deleting comments

[@faribakayyod8761]

🕊They mostly hiding the comments, when you check you can see it ,but no one else can see it 🕊 🕊Legally we can’t do nothing,the best thing is to join the demonstration & setup a group 🕊🤝🕊 🕊🇵🇸🕊🇵🇸🕊

[@misafir716]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@bibikarim1506]

May Allah give him Jannah, Ameen Allahuma Ameen❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🇵🇸🕋🤲

[@fairytale_313]

So heartbreaking, the Palestinians are deliberately being targeted, left , right and centre... May the poet and his family and all the martyred Palestinians rest in Eternal peace ...Ameen

[@darlenedowie2926]

RIP. My condolences to this amazing man's family's members, especially his children.

[@sarunds74]

Powerful words.

[@asmasamano3410]

It’s so sad … I cried so many times, it’s not enough.. no tears are enough.

[@mr_bamboo_3048]

It's like a punch in the stomach. I'm a big man, I'm old, I'm angry but I can't hold back the tears. I would like to say to Mr. Refaat Alareer: I am You and today a part of myself died. A part of me that is responsible for taking your soul straight to the door of Heaven. With much love and respect, from Rome, Italy.

[@berylackermann8240]

Heartbreaking and tragic deaths of this amazing man. These are the HEROES of this WORLD that are the beacons of LIGHT that shines in this dark.snd cruel world.

[@Sam-lr9oi]

incredible reading, I'm sobbing uncontrollably

[@PhilExp]

I am you and you are I. We all are Palestinians 🇵🇸❤️🇵🇸❤️🇵🇸❤️

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Eloquent,,,saddening...moral...😮

[@user-xi5jt7rm4u]

Thanks to all theses peaceful peoples standing there for peace et freedom

[@nido2]

Rest in power Refaat. We love you to the moon and back.

[@esratasneem1113]

Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajioon His poem will haunt the coward Zionists who specifically targeted and assassinated him. Dr Refaat's life, his family's lives, their sacrifice will empower every soul now fighting for the cause of Palestine. SubhanAllah, his void is not in vain.... 💔

[@msz6601]

Hermoso y emocional 😭🤲🏻🍉❤️

[@mdehsanDH]

Love to all of you for such an arrangement..

[@tjmaxx4739]

The poet words will haunt the world forever 🙏

[@lunarsky6551]

thank for this this is so helpful

[@charlesdolphinboy]

once again, us & them, all together, once again 😢 🙏 🕯 🇵🇸 🌌

[@user-cj4xh5ys1e]

Great stuff as always. Thanks for the updates. Peace and love

[@TheOsajah]

❤ who is this young poet!!! Bless her parents

[@MKhan-by7nz]

She is reading the poem of murdered Palestinian writer

[@JoP444]

So powerful, so true RIP Refaat 🙏🖤🩶💚❤️🇵🇸

[@stefanysilva7031]

Muito obrigada

[@Sickeningtheat]

Just read the poem- if I must die, let it be a tale - by Refaat Alareer. Not often, in the age of social media and messaging apps, can a poem arrest, interrupt and force the reader to listen and understand. This poem did. Then I read, further down, that Refaat was killed Inaallillahi wa innaa illeyhirajiun.

[@barcamoreno1034]

STOP Genocide in Gaza ! Stop killing innocent civilians ! Free Palestine ! Free JULIAN ASSANGE ! All the best from EU 🇪🇸