'All eyes on Rafah': That viral AI image you shared isn't helping Palestinians
Social media can be a useful organizing tool.
It is a way to meet people who share your values. It has been used by protesters to organize their demonstrations. It is the best tool we have for disseminating information in the modern era. It’s also used to feed egos.
Last week, a viral artificial intelligence post proved all of those things can be true.
The Instagram story on Rafah that did nothing to help
“All eyes on Rafah,” reads an AI-generated image of white tarps in the Gazan city, which has been shared by more than 50 million users. The rest of the image is a nondescript desert landscape covered in tents in perfect rows. What's more notable is that it lacks any information for donating, boycotting businesses or political organizing.
Two people are taking credit for creating the image, adding yet another layer of complication to a post with minimal information provided beyond a slogan.
The easily sharable post made its way to Hollywood. “Bridgerton” actress Nicola Coughlan shared the post, as did Palestinian American model Bella Hadid and "The Avengers" actor Mark Ruffalo.
The problem is that an image on Instagram can’t describe the magnitude of the destruction happening in Gaza. In reality, the message obstructs our access to the real scene and tragedy unfolding in the area.
Instead of highlighting that or calling folks into action, all the Instagram story does is tell people that you’re pro-Palestine. It’s a waste of pixels and energy that could be channeled into meaningful action in a moment that needs it.
'Why isn't anyone helping them?' 'Will Palestine still exist when this war is over?' My answers to my children's questions.
Destruction in Rafah has moved the needle on a cease-fire
Rafah, a city that swelled to 1.3 million people after taking in Palestinian evacuees since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, was attacked last week by Israeli forces. The bomb strike triggered a massive blaze that killed at least 45 people.
The United Nations reported Monday that a million people have fled Rafah.
President Joe Biden previously issued a warning to the Israelis against invading Rafah. He is continuing to push for a cease-fire agreement.
Despite this, the White House claims that his “red line” has yet to be crossed. Fragments of a U.S. bomb were found in a nearby area, confirming that weapons provided by our country have been used to claim Palestinian lives.
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack sparked the Israel-Hamas war, more than 36,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the casualties are women and children.
I was arrested at a Columbia protest. I am not a hero, nor am I a villain.
'All eyes on Rafah' viral social media post is inaccurate and unhelpful
If you want to see what war looks like, find actual images of Rafah and descriptions of what is occurring.
War is not a clean-cut camping site. It is ruin. It is rubble. It is a child’s body destroyed by shrapnel. It is parents burned alive.
None of that severity is visible in the AI-generated Instagram story. Sure, it gets around Instagram’s guidelines on harmful content. It also obscures reality.
Much like the black squares from 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests, the “All eyes on Rafah” post obscures actual content we would benefit from knowing. There are people trying to tell the story accurately who are drowned out by the countless reposts of a single image.
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If you feel you must share something about the suffering of Palestinians, share the work of journalists such as Bisan Owda, a Palestinian experiencing this conflict in real time.
Share action items: Remind people to call their elected officials and attend protests. Boycott companies that support Israel and support efforts to get aid into Gaza. Find Palestinian families and organizations to donate to.
Above all, it's important that your actions go beyond sharing a post. A post only feeds the ego. Taking action can change the course of history.
Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter, @sara__pequeno and Facebook: facebook.com/PequenoWrites
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden is pushing for ceasefire in Gaza. Help by sharing real images
