‘If You Have A Platform, Use It’: Why Pop Stars Should Speak Up For Palestine w/ Singer Leila Hegazy

Watch the full interview with Leila Hegazy on Patreon: / full-video-if-it-99087645
Throughout Israel’s genocide in Gaza, those who care have used their skills in beautiful and inspiring ways to help bring attention to the struggle for justice in Palestine. One of those people is musician Leila Hegazy, an Egyptian-Italian-American solo artist and activist as well as a member of the twin sister duo HEGAZY. Leila joined Rania Khalek to discuss her viral adaptations of popular songs to help battle the absurdity of Western propaganda and challenge the pop stars who have stayed silent.
This is just part of this episode. The full interview is available for Breakthrough News Members only. Become a member at / breakthroughnews to access the full episode and other exclusive content.

[@JoseManuel-jd1yr]

Free palestine

[@MichProgNerd]

And Assange

[@MrMzand]

From the river to the sea

[@RobertRitchie-re5pt]

From what????? Hamas?

[@avivgol2942]

what is a palestine?...

[@fun_ghoul]

_"Obama was not the lesser evil, but the more effective evil."_ -Glen Ford (RIP)

[@jortalportal2834]

Now he is being exposed as extremely evil, and a puppet of Oprah Winfrey. Evil.

[@AdamDorfman82]

👉🏼Israel Changed the World Order in the Middle East: Muslim Empires' Former Dhimmis (second class people) Attain Nationhood and Autonomy, Defying Traditional Islamic Hierarchies Muslims worldwide are not fooling anyone. for over a thousand years, JEWS living in Israel were under an apartheid regime, considered Dhimmis, second class citizens, under Muslim empires that controlled Jerusalem. 🚨 1,300 years of Islamic Colonialism 🚨 - It's within this context of thousands of years of discrimination that Israel sought independence and became a nation of its own. •⁠ ⁠It's within this context that Muslim nations have used the Palestinian cause to oppose the right of jewish people to have self-determination. Islam just can't accept that previous dhimmis will be free. •⁠ ⁠All of this happened before the United States and the so called "western" values so no one can blame them for the violence, discrimination and apartheid regimes imposed by Islamic rulers. Muslim have weaponized the Palestinian cause narrative, which demands that Israel be destroyed in favor of the “ancient Palestinians,” but all educated Muslims know that’s obviously not true. The reality is that only a small percentage of the Palestinian population are indigenous peoples of the Levant; the vast majority are from various groups that have migrated to or through the region over centuries, including during the Ottoman period. All of the Islamic empires that governed the ancient city for 1,283 years were, in fact, foreigners. This highlights the diversity of the Palestinian population. •⁠ ⁠Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE): Originating from the Saudi Arabian people. •⁠ ⁠Abbasid Caliphate (750-969 CE): Originating from the Iraqi people. •⁠ ⁠Fatimid Caliphate (969-1099 CE): Originating from the Northern African people. •⁠ ⁠Ayyubid Dynasty (1187-1260 CE): Originating from the Kurdish people. •⁠ ⁠Mamluk Sultanate (1260-1517 CE): The origins of the Mamluks who were European slaves who freed themselves and built an empire •⁠ ⁠Ottoman Empire (1517-1917 CE): Originating from the Turkish people. Literally, the Palestinans are a huge mix of Kurdish, Iraqi and North African Empires, and even European and Caucasian descent, as well as Arabs from Saudi Arabia. Are Palestinians descendants of the Ottoman empire ? If that’s true, they are Turkish - not natives Surprising facts. Former European and Caucasian slaves are among the Palestinians. Known as the Mamluks Sultanate, they were forced into conversions and eventually overthrew their masters - not natives That’s why there are blond blue-eyed Palestinians! Palestinians are a huge mix, and that’s fine. They deserve there own state if they will allow Israel to have its own But the vast majority are not natives to the land like the Jews. Islam as a religion originates in Saudi Arabia so there’s nothing ancient religiously nor ethnically about them!!

[@NkenKenY]

trump obama bush clitons are all effective evil the rot especially after reagan who was also a rot

[@fun_ghoul]

@@AdamDorfman82 Nice copypasta. Did the ADL provide it to you?

[@fun_ghoul]

@@NkenKenY It's true. There is no GOOD Amerikkkan president. Amerikkka is an occupation, too! Ask this Adam Dorfmann clown whose land he's squatting on right now!

[@humanitarianH]

Wow her voice is so amazing. Thank you so much for speaking or singing out, Leila.

[@farronstrob]

Have her on more this is amazing! She is wonderful, this was lovely to hear both of y’all connecting and resonating with the valid emotions towards the evil hegemonic world. FREE PALESTlNE🇵🇸❤️‍🩹

[@user-iu4wh1zs6t]

I don't know if Alyona Shvets is politically active; but, she's an independent label Russian singer with an amazing voice. She can actually sing, unlike Billie Eilish (she doesn't actually sing in most of her songs, her vocals sound like rapping, much of her work is breathy and mouthy like she's whispering into a mic).

[@tomscog26]

I stand with Palestine and Iran 🇮🇷 🇵🇸

[@RobertRitchie-re5pt]

Double looser.

[@FaycalOuazine]

If you still don't think Israel is evil, that's because you are, too.

[@fun_ghoul]

Not true. Simple ignorance is easy enough to prop up with cable news.

[@lawrencea274]

I think you may be missing the bigger picture, Zionism is the world danger.

[@FaycalOuazine]

@@fun_ghoul .Haaretz published names/age/profession of all that died on 07/10 ...vast majority were either active IDF/Reserve IDF/Police.Scroll down on their main page and have a look.This is the main reason Israeli Govt went after Haaretz,to try to shut them up. First person accounts from kibutzes where highest civilian toll was said that it was Israeli airforce Apache helicopters that were responsible for most dead civilians as they opened fire on everything that moved...these statements were first reported on Israeli tv/portals and newspapers to be later removed ..but internet never forgets.

[@Edward-ni8yi]

Exactly!

[@webdesigntutz]

Very productive of you

[@meruaj8646]

Thank you l!!! Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@olblue3478]

Free Palestine from existence

[@davidowens1424]

Their silence speaks volumes.

[@Rainbows783]

Brave Lady and Good song Nice Voice 🇦🇪👍✌️

[@fun_ghoul]

If anyone ever asks you "Why didn't you say anything about Ukraine?", inform them that Palestine has been occupied since (at latest) 1948.

[@a.champagne6238]

I always respond that I oppose militarism and occupation whether it is being perpetrated by the U.S. Israel, China, Russia or anyone.

[@ChefbyMistake]

These women are Arab Americans they always loved Russia 🇷🇺. Why they will support Ukraine ?

[@fun_ghoul]

@@a.champagne6238 Which countries are China and Russia occupying at present?

[@a.champagne6238]

@@fun_ghoul Tibet, Chechnya, Ukraine.

[@fun_ghoul]

@@a.champagne6238 So you know nothing. OK.

[@iamnot1]

THANK YOU, Smart and courageous women... ❤❤❤

[@PerceivedREALITY999]

We must not be silent while witnessing injustice. Honor to Palestine! Honor to everyone who supports Palestine! ❤🇵🇸

[@mustafam3709]

Bless you both and stay strong! Free Palestine 🇵🇸 Free Lebanon 🇱🇧 Free the world from this violence, racism and imperialism. Blessings to all those who have been victims of this as well. We need to change things. Inshallah soon we will.

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Survivors NOT victims .

[@fulanichild3138]

"Normalized Islamophobia". Exactly.

[@PerceivedREALITY999]

Thank you Rania and Leila. We must not be silent while witnessing injustice.

[@kjsakuma]

Would b nice if mainstream artists actually made songs to speak up for Palestine, Sudan, Congo,etc but we can't expect those money hungry cowards to care. Much respect to Laila.

[@olblue3478]

Who gives a shit

[@mustafam3709]

What a wonderful conversation. Thank you as always. Appreciate you both and as an Arab American can totally relate to what you both said here.

[@hasnaashaalan9083]

I'm Egyptian and I'm so proud of what Leila is doing. Most people here are heartbroken.

[@greysteak]

I can speak for me. Talk and platform's bring attention. But action is required to save Palestinians.

[@reimei2819]

Amazing! Does my heart good! Freedom for Palestine! Independent Palestine Now! Let's do this!

[@syedaeramsafiya7042]

Thanks laila

[@PerceivedREALITY999]

"Every time we witness an injustice and do not act, we train our character to be passive in its presence and thereby eventually lose all ability to defend ourselves and those we love." - Assange

[@user-pj3xx6ph8d]

So good!!! Very impressive & helps educates people too!!!

[@fillyjamalama5201]

Illuminating conversation habitatis' May Allah guide and bless your path and open the worlds heart to the cries & plight of our brothers and sisters in Palestine until they are free!!! 🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@mrroberttrujillo]

Thank you for sharing this! I have been so focused on hip hop's response but I love how she sings!

[@maitlen4021]

Brilliant, fabulous guest … and inspirational. Thanks so much for this show.

[@racfat1]

Two amazing girls, thank you both Rania and Laila Free Palestine

[@blanchetv]

I actually love her voice more than any of the pop singers that are out there right now! And her words are so much more meaningful, I wish her music would just take over the industry!

[@okijon-hf6qb]

Leila! Where can I listen to your song renditions? Fantastic voice and message ❤

[@The_Reckoning_Is_Here]

i’m blown away with her talent i’m going to share now ❤

[@user-dw4qn3zc3m]

Go, girl! I support you! We all use whatever we have to make noise for Palestinians, never stop!

[@Cameo19]

Thank you both! Leila, you’re awesome ❤️🍉🇵🇸

[@MehmetUzman]

what a voice, what a song! I love them

[@JMHolmesBMBLA]

YAAAS! MORE HEGAZY ENERGY!!! ✊🏾🇵🇸✊🏾

[@Lynn.B.]

This was an amazing conversation! Hegazy's voice is so beautiful, and her songs are so heartfelt, that I was near tears a couple of times. I agree with her: none of the settler colonial states have any inherent "right" to exist. How could they when they derive from merciless massacring and theft of land? I was not only called racist for saying this, but subjected to an extreme --- and I mean dangerously extreme --- bout of narcissistic rage from an unhinged Lyft driver who practically lost his mind because I voiced this opinion.

[@hildaswafford8226]

Lela got talent💐

[@samychabane2849]

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free ✌️ 🇵🇸

[@caylia9989]

I love this❤❤

[@mixedchic3050]

Rania thank you for inviting Leila on your show! Love you both! Leila you have a great voice and using it to speak out on Palestine and the genocide is amazing. Yes! Your message is empowering and simultaneously it makes us feel happy because you use cutting humor! Thank you!

[@knokkelknekker]

Leyla is right when she says that Israel does not have a right to exist. The country itself will not have fixed borders because their public policy in the Likud alliance still has its policy on Eretz Israel, and according to international law you cannot have a state that does not have fixed borders. One can also say that in a modern world one cannot accept an Apartheid state, which even carries out genocide. Palestine is the only mandated area from the colonial era that has not gained its freedom, and the mandated areas were divided into different categories, and Palestine was then in the group that was considered the most developed.

[@peschi79]

Leila!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🍉🍉🍉

[@okijon-hf6qb]

Fabulous!🍉

[@a.champagne6238]

Let's give the 1982 song "War Crimes" by Special AKA the Kate Bush treatment and have it climb the charts decades later. It was banned by BBC so it was never a hit unlike "Running Up That Hill."

[@bernadettedunn6129]

Loved it and I’m gonna join soon

[@agit-prop8193]

Great interview. And a shout-out to Roger Waters for advocating for Palestinians through his music and interviews for at least 20 years. And yes, he's been viciously attacked as an anti-Semite for having the courage to suggest that Palestinians are human beings and deserve our protection and respect. I hope other artists can find their courage to follow his example.

[@justinmcneil659]

Free Palestine

[@sabaaftab4389]

Amazing talent wow ❤❤❤

[@racfat1]

What an Angelic voice Free palestine

[@gyal_dem_gad]

Hat off for this singer,, powerful girl

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

A wonderful interview! I adore both of you ladies! As a Canadian I deeply appreciate when Trudeau is also called out for his genocide complicity. He absolutely does not represent me, and his and all the rest of the Liberal's continued support of genocide has ensured that I will never, for the rest of my life, vote for any Liberal candidate that they every put forward.

[@bernadettedunn6129]

Lela is so talented. Her songs are very well done. I love her version of Halo. And Beyoncé and JC where are you? Beyoncé you performed at the UN and declared “I Was Here” well I just wanna know, WHERE ARE YOU?

[@Layelle18]

Leila you are amazing. Thanks for lending your beautiful voice and talent to speak up for the oppressed ❤

[@solangeamstutz8855]

What a great voice and beautiful soul!! Thank you !

[@knokkelknekker]

In the past, music, especially rock music, was an important part of the protest movement. Eventually, everything became just sex and drugs & rock and roll, and everything became commercialized. There ARE many artists who create poems and some of them set them to music, but they rarely or never get out. No commercial interests will back them up. Now the pop industry is more like a part of the porn industry, and everything is mind-numbing. But there should be room for such artists, at least out among people, and they can be used in various arrangements, so those who just want to be lethargic and prefer to have no thoughts can go to a disco, a pub or to a concert and get drunk.

[@sabaaftab4389]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Stella-dl4vi]

SHE IS BEAUTIFUL 🙏❤️NOW I LIKE THOSE SONGS NOW FOR REAL THE LIRICS HAVE A REAL BEAUTIFUL MEANING 👍👍👍🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸💪💪💪💪💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️❤️🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@shaimaakandil900]

Freedom and justice for Palastinians

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Thnk you both , Rania and Leila , good talk !

[@johnnymiles8694]

may God bless and cradle all the victims of Palestine.

[@Mustrock]

Amazing interview! Leila and her sister are local sheroes here on Staten Island!

[@PrettyWhiteLady]

I love strong, renegade women like Leila!! ❤

[@corndoggydogdog]

Leila Hegazy is AMAZING!

[@BreakThroughNews]

Thanks for watching! You can see the rest of the interview by becoming a patron of BreakThrough News: www.patreon.com/posts/full-video-if-it-99087645

[@MrMzand]

What a soothing and beautiful voice.

[@web3982]

No matter the background, and no matter the level of comprehension or affiliation, anyone who doesn't see the horror of what's happening to the people of Palestine is in desperate and urgent need to question his or her own humanity!

[@iamnot1]

🍉🍉🍉🍉💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️🍉🍉🍉

[@msvlines]

Love her!!!❤

[@skibididobdobdobyesyes]

Payday Monsanto and Madd Cold have been rapping original songs for Palestine for over a decade now.

[@saragonmcenany6229]

Awesome thank you 🙏

[@thesoultouchers]

Leila I agree you have a gorgeous voice

[@user-iu4wh1zs6t]

18:05 -That's a really powerful cover. It hurts, because it captures the calloused complicity of the American public. It captures how we tend to pave over graves with boulevards and shopping malls.

[@okijon-hf6qb]

Roger Walter's Pink Floyd

[@iamkatykabha]

Her music is amazing

[@a.champagne6238]

Hurray For the Riff Raff last night closed with the song Pa'lante but with lyrics altered to reference Gaza. The crowd cheered when Alynda shouted "From the River to the Sea!" A diverse crowd of old Boomer hippies to college aged Zoomers to middle aged punk rockers and metal heads. We have the power!

[@mariamavi6769]

Her cover version is a way better than the original. Her voice was beautiful. She should be a singer

[@rinastronaut9154]

I don't know if this has been mentioned but one particular artist that used her platform to raise awareness about Palestine is Aurora. She changed the lyrics of her song "Through The Eyes of a Child" to incorporate the chant "from the river to the sea" in a Songs for Gaza Charity Concert: Mother is bleeding in her heart With a sleeping child within her arms From the river to the sea When will every child be free?

[@shreksvr123]

yeah i saw olivia rodrigo fans connect one of her songs to palestine yet she hasnt said anything about it

[@sarachiba6012]

WOW, just WOW !!! ♥♥♥

[@bernadettedunn6129]

I get the same treatment about white supremacy and I’m white so you’re not alone there

[@miaj1949]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@SandraGarcia-vn1pp]

❤❤❤

[@lawrencea274]

Yes! Back in the 60-70 s our musicians used their platform as activists, from folk music, Rock,R&B. To think the Swifts Etc of the music INDUSTRY, are going to be activists for justice, is very naive or live in a dream world. I do think South Africa should be brought into every equation for thier stsnd on world justice. Give a listen to the song Oh Palestine,Oh Palestine By. Seth Statin Watkins They have always been anti- Christian. I think she is wrong on her opinion why the musicians. The music industry is run by Zionism as is the movie industry. But yes its what one's morals are.

[@helenhenthorn4948]

A vote against the two-party duopoly is a vote against the global corporate interests and AIPEC. You can challenge the status quo by threatening to replace the criminal politicians with a third party candidate, which also takes economic power and profits away from mega-corporations that measure everything by these two metrics.

[@wynetsang]

Arts trigger by emotions which rely on external emotional environment.

[@user-cu2zn9dr5i]

True!!!!

[@dilaatt8325]

SUBHANALLAH #CEASEFIRENOW #JUSTICEFORPALESTINE #ENDTHEGENOCIDE

[@laylaboukhemkhem8909]

Anyone who has a huge platform & hasn't been using it for good, deserves the very thing they're so scared of...

[@penabler]

I think the sea-change will happen when people figure out a way to make a quick buck being pro-Palestinian.

[@scathachmuirisc7149]

Very brave and a beautiful voice...do these stars charge for using the melodies..I'd be surprised if they didn't.. not that they've not got enough already??

[@bernadettedunn6129]

What about setting some of the idf’s videos to some of your songs?

[@leroitiaks]

Do not forget Africans and natives (of Oceania and the Americas) whose life is even less valued in the "civilised gardens" of the Western thought than any other population on this planet.

[@HPDevlin]

Voting for the lesser of two evils guarantees that you are pro evil. You never have to vote for either of the duopoly's candidates to have a vote. There are always alternatives and though the alternatives have no realistic chance of winning, voting for them does send a message. Look at how worried the major party candidates get that votes cast for outliers might 'throw' the election to their major rival.

[@WarIsNotGreen]

Those dehumanizing others, ironically are dehumanizing themselves.

[@bupdragon4694]

Leila Hegazy please please please write the song "Genocide Joe" to the tune of Cotton-eyed Joe.

[@greg6509]

Wow that Biden Biden gave me chills and every word resonated with my soul's deepest convictions on this matter! 🙏🍉

[@nads205]

Amazing interview! Does Leila do piano lessons??

[@commerceworld3153]

I'm Indian nd I stand with Palestine 🇵🇸🇮🇳..... #FreePalestine..... #Ceasefirenow....... We should speak up for Palestine....... Salute to this woman

[@Elisabh373]

Free Palestine 🙏🇵🇸

[@thesoultouchers]

Rania I didn’t know you are Lebanese I am too, thank you for your channel. I can relate with Leila about the back lash she gets, I get it too but I don’t care. Hate will not silence me.

[@joyinhk3269]

If you look at Roger Waters, you can see how strong the repercussions can be. But he still speaks up. And many people will honor him for that.

[@liberisempre]

Ciao.