Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh among Malaysian public figures on Gaza war ‘block’ list
The online movement, dubbed “Blockout 2024”, boycotts celebrities and influencers who are perceived to have not spoken up or not said enough against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
SINGAPORE: Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and other Malaysian public figures are among those on a recent “blockout” list over their perceived silence on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, or their continued support of brands tied to Israel.
Yeoh, along with fellow actresses Anna Jobling and Neelofa, was included on a list of around 30 names titled “Malaysian celebrity and influencers block list” posted on Facebook by user Liena Bunkerz on May 13, which has garnered 6,000 shares as of Thursday (May 16).
The “block” list targeting Malaysian personalities follows an online movement called “Blockout 2024”, where social media users boycott celebrities and influencers by “blocking” their accounts on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and X - previously known as Twitter.
According to the Associated Press, participants say the movement is a protest as the celebrities either have not spoken up or have not said enough against Israel’s actions in Gaza during its war with Hamas.
By blocking the accounts of these public figures, this means not seeing any of the content they produce on social media — no posts, no photos or videos, no collaborations with sponsors.
The blocks are also meant to affect views, engagement and ultimately the celebrities’ income, as the number of people interacting with content brings in money, AP reported.
Yeoh has not been vocal on the war, though on Mar 10, she spoke to AP news agency, describing protests calling for a Gaza ceasefire around the Oscars ceremony as “worrying.”
On May 3, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Joe Biden. The American accolade is reserved for those who have contributed to the security and civilian life of the US.
The US has sent aid to Israel throughout the war in Gaza, with Reuters reporting on May 15 that the State Dept was moving US$1 billion weapons aid for Israel to congressional review, according to American officials.
The original poster of the list of Malaysian personalities being blocked on Facebook wrote: “Even though I am a huge fan of some of them, I am forced to block them. I can't compromise with people who don't have common sense about our brothers in G4z4 (Gaza)”
According to American media, the Blockout 2024 movement started at the Met Gala in New York on May 6. It was fuelled by angry reactions to a video posted by TikTok influencer Haley Kalil, showing her lip-syncing the words “let them eat cake” outside the event.
Those words are often attributed to the Queen of France during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette. They refer to leaders so far removed from people's everyday struggles, they would suggest people eat cake when they do not even have bread.
Several media outlets reported that celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Billie Eilish had lost from hundreds of thousands to around a million followers on their Instagram and TikTok accounts due to the Blockout movement.
One media industry professional described the Met Gala as “especially triggering” for some people.
The event’s “sheer visual spectacle” contrasted with images from news reports the day before covering Israel’s attack on Gaza’s Rafah, said Ms Chloe Lim, an account director at integrated creative agency DSTNCT.
Malaysian and American celebrities are not the only ones to feel the brunt of the blockout. A number of K-pop stars have been blocked by their international fans. An Indonesian account called blockout.idn calls for the boycotting of Indonesian celebrities and brands for their stance or silence on Gaza.
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The war broke out after Hamas's Oct 7 attack on southern Israel which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
The militants also seized about 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, including 36 the military says are dead.
Israel's military retaliation has killed at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and an Israeli siege has brought dire food shortages and the threat of famine.
Malaysia has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and has advocated for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
On Tuesday (May 14), Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Hamas leaders during a three-day visit to Qatar, where he urged Israel to stop atrocities against Palestinians.
Mr Anwar also called on Israel to release all Palestinian prisoners and agree to a peace plan.
In his post, Anwar also said Malaysia will continue to play its role in stopping attacks on Rafah and mobilise more efforts to help victims of the war in Gaza.
Editor's note: The article earlier reported that Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Honour on May 3. This is inaccurate. She was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. We apologise for the error.
