Gaza Palestinians Turn to ‘Turmeric Trend’ on Social Media to Protest Hunger and Israeli Genocide
Some Gaza youth have also shunned the trend due to the severity of the food crisis, reflecting the complex emotions and trauma experienced in the region.
Palestinians in Gaza have been using the viral “turmeric trend” on social media as a way to express their hunger and draw attention to what they describe as Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
This trend has become a symbolic form of protest and awareness-raising amid severe food shortages and ongoing violence in the region.
Palestinians in Gaza have been using the viral ‘turmeric trend’ to talk about their hunger and Israel’s genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ARhahzXO90
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 2, 2025
The context behind this is a dire humanitarian crisis caused by a complete Israeli blockade since early March 2025, which has led to widespread hunger.
Many families in Gaza are surviving on only one meal a day or sometimes none at all.
Aid distribution sites have become chaotic and dangerous, with reports of deadly violence at these locations, described by Gaza’s Ministry of Health as “aid massacres” and by legal experts as war crimes.
The situation has been likened to a dystopian “Hunger Games,” where Palestinians must risk their lives to access scarce food aid.
The turmeric trend thus serves as a poignant social media tool for Palestinians, especially the youth, to highlight their suffering, hunger, and the broader context of violence and blockade they face.
However, some Gaza youth have also shunned the trend due to the severity of the food crisis, reflecting the complex emotions and trauma experienced in the region.
The viral turmeric trend is being used by Palestinians in Gaza as a creative and impactful way to communicate the harsh realities of hunger and the ongoing conflict, drawing global attention to their plight amid the blockade and violence.
