BTS fandom organizes for Palestine, boycotts HYBE Corporation
Here's how BTS ARMYs have organized to support families in Gaza and boycott pro-Israel figures working in entertainment. pic.twitter.com/bVYuhoeuPm
- AJ+ (@ajplus) June 19, 2024
Al Jazeera-owned social media publisher AJ+ shared a video Wednesday highlighting the ways that BTS' fandom, better known as ARMY, is organizing to support families in Gaza and boycott pro-Israel figures working in entertainment.
Following the publication of a video of Palestinian journalist Ahmad Ibraheem uncovering photocards of members of the group in the rubble of Gaza, fans published an open letter to HYBE Corporation from the X account @ARMY4Palestine calling for "the total liberation of Palestine" and "boycott of products and brands that support the Zionist apartheid system, following the lead of the BDS movement."
Among those brands is HYBE itself, home of BTS whose North American subsidiary is currently led by noted pro-Israel executive Scooter Braun. Fans are urging one another to abstain from purchasing HYBE records and merch, and to stream BTS' music on unofficial channels, until demands are met.
"As one of the most influential fandoms in the world," the account's statement reads in part, "[we] cannot bear to see the systemic oppression of the Palestinian people. We are a group of people around the world who have learned from BTS about the importance of social justice in times of crisis."
To date, @ARMY4Palestine has raised approximately $100,000 for Gaza, while the majority of BTS' members complete their mandatory military service.
Army for Palestine's official statement and stance. #ARMYforPalestine #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/zR2hWzKOiw
- ARMY for Palestine (@ARMY4Palestine) November 17, 2023
As the genocide in Gaza continues, Palestinian #Kpop fans are currently organizing boycotts in an attempt to pressure HYBE, the industry’s biggest company, into divesting from Israel.
✍️: @kaytiburt https://t.co/aTpqdOxmX6
- Paste Magazine (@PasteMagazine) June 14, 2024
Check out Paste Magazine for further reading, which also highlights the efforts of other HYBE artists' fandoms. (Thanks to i_prefer_scummy for linking!)
[Sources]Source 1, 2, 3, 4