On July 2, KST, it was reported that BTS member Jin will be one of the torchbearers at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
While fans are celebrating this great honor, many have taken the opportunity to reach out to the singer, urging him to join calls for a ceasefire and show solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have been subjected to disproportionate killing and extermination (according to UNHRC reports) by Israel since October 2023.
“In relation to Israels military operations in Gaza, we conclude that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes.. including extermination.. murder, using starvation as a method of war, forcible transfer..”
The UN Human Rights Council report published today is damning. pic.twitter.com/ORwbHHpxtP
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) June 19, 2024
This call for action is in line with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The official BDS website points out how Israel is committing a “sporticide” of Palestinians and supports the call for banning the country from the Olympics. It also relays a direct message to the Olympic torchbearers to amplify their calls to action.
Dear Olympic Torchbearers,
Join calls for #CeasefireNow. Help stop Israel’s #GazaGenocide.
Here’s how:
Take one or more of the following actions to ensure Olympic values are upheld and to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Carry or wear:
The Palestinian flag
A call for “Ceasefire Now”
A call for free entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza
A call for an end to Israel’s Gaza genocide
A call for a military embargo on Israel
A call to support the Palestinian demand to #BanIsrael from the Olympics— BDS
Though the BTS fandom has been polarized over pro-Palestinian activism for the past few months, generally, there has been a consensus over following BDS’s guidance. Hence, many Palestinian fans and allies are expecting the community to unite as one and encourage Jin to take a stance through his honorable role as a torchbearer.
BDS asks all Olympic torchbearers to join calls for ceasefire and show solidarity with the Palestinian people who have been experiencing a genocide for the past 10 months. It’s time to speak yourself @BTS_twt, use this opportunity to Break The Silence and be a torchbearer for… pic.twitter.com/vR3WeN3RJJ
— ARMY for Palestine (@ARMY4Palestine) July 2, 2024
It’s an honor that Seokjin has been selected as a torchbearer and with that BDS is urging those called to carry the light to shine it onto what is happening: genocide. By allowing Israel to compete, the Olympics is complicit. #BanIsrael #SpeakYourselfBTS @BTS_twt https://t.co/rlWfl05dAg
— nisee is a Na⁷✿ ARTISTS FOR PALESTINE (@smol_bbybean) July 2, 2024
We are so proud of our Jin! Let’s follow the BDS campaign & urge him to show #TrueOlympicValues by being a torchbearer for Palestinian rights! #BanIsraelFromOlympics #Paris2024
@BTS_twt https://t.co/YemXu4zEYr pic.twitter.com/Pke7Ymtof2— 🍉🐳Serendipitous⁷ Sea-ARMY of House Alex (@IJimin_everyday) July 2, 2024
BDS asks all Olympic torchbearers to join calls for ceasefire and show solidarity with the Palestinian people who have been experiencing a genocide for the past 10 months. It’s time to speak yourself @BTS_twt, use this opportunity to Break The Silence and be a torchbearer for…
— Mari⁷ 🍉 (@lmarisunl) July 2, 2024
Olympics has been boycotted from the start like Eurovision, jin being the torchbearer has nothing to do with it but it’s a great opportunity for him to spread awareness. BDS is calling EVERY torch bearer to boycott. Take off ur stan glasses fucktards be human once.
— Oshy is trying to write 🥲 (@thvscunnie) July 2, 2024
The Olympics will begin on July 27, and Jin will reportedly leave for France soon. The exact time and venue of Jin’s participation, however, is yet to be revealed.
You can read more about ARMY’s activism for Palestine here.
Source: BDS
