In the period since October, expressions of solidarity with Palestine have inundated various media platforms, both social and traditional. Notable figures such as Jessica Chastain, Susan Sarandon, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Bassem Youssef, Cherian, Fifi Abdo, Ragheb Alame, and Yousra have actively stood in support of the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza.
Building on her celebrity status, Sabrina Bahsoon, the Lebanese-Malaysian TikTok personality widely recognized as "London Tube Girl," has established an educational fund dedicated to supporting Palestinian children. With an impressive following of nearly 800,000 on TikTok, Bahsoon collaborated with the advocacy group Geutanyoe Malaysia to extend assistance to Palestinian refugees who have relocated from Gaza and the West Bank to Malaysia.
Geutanyoe Malaysia expressed gratitude to the social media sensation for her substantial support through Sabrina Bahsoon’s Fund for Palestinian Children’s Education. The organization emphasized the far-reaching impact of this contribution, not only nurturing young minds but also providing a sanctuary for them within the complex circumstances of prolonged displacement. This concerted effort reflects a shared commitment to empower the Palestinian community through educational initiatives.
Despite her philanthropic efforts, Bahsoon faced criticism in November for a video in which she announced the sale of T-shirts in collaboration with the UK charity Choose Love. The proceeds aimed to assist individuals stuck in Gaza and uprooted communities in southern Israel. Critics pointed out that Bahsoon did not explicitly mention "Palestine" in the video, and the T-shirt design referenced an unrelated TikTok trend, "delulu is the solulu," which encourages keeping positive to find solutions. Additionally, the timing of the video, posted the night before Black Friday, drew backlash, as pro-Palestinian activists had urged a boycott to exert pressure on world governments for a ceasefire.
The 23-year-old TikTok sensation, with a Lebanese-Sierra Leonean heritage, rose to prominence through viral dance videos filmed on London’s bustling Tube system, accumulating over 200 million views across TikTok and other social media platforms.
