Jordanian chef Yasmin Nasir has been keen to connect with her audience through social media videos since the war on Gaza began, offering content that expresses solidarity with the people of Gaza and assists them in preparing meals with limited resources, amidst the scarcity of food aid reaching the besieged enclave. Yasmin appears in every video wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh and provides valuable information for Gaza residents, such as purifying contaminated water and making bread without yeast, which is not available to them.
Yasmin told Reuters, "Out of my sense of responsibility towards the Palestinian cause and what is happening in Gaza, I want to convey a message not just to the Arab countries, but to the West, who know little about the issue, and to draw attention to Gaza." She adds that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an "information war," and she wants to use her work to help the people of Gaza and amplify their voices, especially since her Instagram following exceeds 900,000 followers.
Yasmin mentions, "I communicate with people from inside the Gaza Strip and ask them what they need and how the situation is for them in detail and what resources they have available to continue their lives." She points out that citizens in Gaza have become displaced from each other, saying, "There are children and young people who are now alone and have taken on responsibility. I try to help this group and teach them some ways to continue living."
Additionally, Nasir prepares alternative recipes for many items included in the boycott campaigns. She states, "It’s not my job to ask people to boycott; I provide them with alternative recipes."
Jordanian chef Timour Al-Mouj adds, "When it’s hard to speak directly to people through a microphone, I want to convey a message through cooking content. My message is to remind people of the Palestinian cause and specifically Gaza, to pass it on from generation to generation."
He emphasizes his desire to preserve the culture, cause, and heritage across generations, particularly through "social media and global trends that most people are inclined towards." He notes that "in these days and in a fast-paced world, our traditional dishes may be forgotten, especially by the younger generation." He insists on wearing the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian struggle, in every video he posts to convey the message to his followers, who exceed 650,000 on his Instagram page.
