US actor Richard Gere reads Mahmoud Darwish poem in solidarity with Palestinian suffering in Gaza

US actor Richard Gere read a poem earlier this week by the emblematic Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish in a video posted on social media, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the Gaza Strip amid 18 months of relentless war and siege waged by Israel.

The critically acclaimed actor read the poem titled 'Think of Others', which makes references to the displacement, oppression and suffering of the Palestinian people at the hands of Israel over the decades.

Some of the poem reads: "As you prepare your breakfast, think of others (do not forget the pigeon’s food). As you conduct your wars,  think of others (do not forget those who seek peace). As you pay your water bill, think of others (those who are nursed by clouds). As you return home, to your home, think of others (do not forget the people of the camps). As you sleep and count the stars, think of others (those who have nowhere to sleep)."

Widely revered in the Arab world and considered Palestine’s national poet, Darwish’s prose and poetry has featured heavily in Palestinian identity and nationalism over the decades, while covering themes such as the concept of homeland, exile, and belonging.

Gere also revealed that he had met Darwish many years ago.

Gere’s reading of 'Think of Others' comes as Israel continues to kill and forcibly displace Palestinians from the war-battered Gaza Strip, amid its fresh attacks on the enclave ongoing since 18 March, following the collapse of a ceasefire put in place in January.

Israel’s renewed onslaught has killed over 1,900 since, while the overall death toll in the Gaza Strip stands at 51,305 as a result of Israel’s war ongoing since 7 October, 2023.

Gere’s recitation of Darwish’ poetry was shared by the Artists4Ceasefire platform on Tuesday, a collective of actors, musicians and other known figures urging a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of life-saving aid to the war-battered and besieged enclave as well as the return of captives still held there.

The collective said Gere’s reading of the poem comes "in honour of all those working to end suffering and oppression of others – in Palestine, Israel and around the world, as well as an invitation to those who have yet to speak on it".

The collective said the poem was also recited in an ode to Pope Francis who died on Monday following a stroke and heart failure, saddening the global Catholic community as well as other world and religious leaders.

Pope Francis had spoken out against the war in Gaza several times, much to the ire of the Israeli government.

Artists4Ceasefire said the pontiff "embodied Darwish’s poem by dedicating his life to deep empathy and compassionate action for all who suffer".

Gere, who starred in films such as Pretty Woman and Chicago, had previously met with families of Israeli captives held in Gaza.

In December last year, Gere met with relatives of captives Keith Siegel, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev.

The captives have since been released, following a hostage-prisoner exchange deal which also saw the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, during the ceasefire’s first phase earlier this year.

Gere has been critical of some Israeli policies. In 2017, he slammed Israeli settlements as "absurd provocation and completely illegal".

"They are certainly not part of the programme of someone who wants a genuine peace process," he said during his visit to the country, where he also called out Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.