Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai has found himself in controversy as thousands of netizens from her native Pakistan voiced their disappointment with her over working with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is perceived to be anti-Palestinian. The two of them came together in March this year, as they are jointly co-hosting a Broadway musical, which is about the woman suffrage movement in the 1920s.
In a statement on X, the Nobel Prize Laureate stated that there should “be no confusion about my support for the people of Gaza.”
“We have all watched the relentless atrocities against Palestinian people for more than six months now with anger and despair. This week’s news of mass graves discovered at Gaza’s Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals is yet another reminder of the horrors Palestinians are facing. It is hard enough to watch from afar — don’t know how Palestinians bear it in their bones. We do not need to see more dead bodies, bombed schools and starving children to understand that a ceasefire is urgent and necessary.”
“I have and will continue to condemn the Israeli government for its violations of international law and war crimes, and I applaud efforts by those determined to hold them to account. Publicly and privately, I will keep calling on world leaders to push for a ceasefire and to ensure the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid.”
Malala’s statement may not be enough for pro-Palestinian supporters who have viewed Clinton as a supporter of Israeli atrocities. In an interview to MSNBC, Clinton stated that Netanyahu must go as he was “not a trustworthy leader,” but reiterated her continued support for Israel, a view she has held since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Just after the attacks, Clinton had said. “Israel has a right to defend itself as does Ukraine.”
The tie-up with Clinton adds to the disappointment and grievances that many Pakistanis have against the Nobel Laureate. According to an Al Jazeera report, unlike in the West, Malala is a polarising figure in Pakistan, with some accusing her of being anti-Islamic and a puppet of the West. In 2017, she was trolled for wearing jeans, and in 2013, her autobiography I am Malala was banned for schools in the country. The reason given was that she had criticised strictures within Islam, and had apparently supported the Satanic Verses in the book. There was even, according to the report, an ‘Anti-Malala day’ held in the country.
Not surprisingly, prominent Pakistani women have critcised Malala for the collaboration, despite her statement. Author and academic Nida Kirmani said on X that Yousafzai’s decision to partner with Clinton was “maddening and heartbreaking at the same time. What an utter disappointment.”
