Ziggy Marley recently addressed rumors concerning his involvement in rising funds for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The Dragon Fly singer known for his message of peace and unity took to social media in response to a post made by reggae singer Queen Ifrica to dispel the claims.
Marley stated: “dont really like commenting on sh*t like this but thank you all said i have never raised any money for IDF or any other military in the world. But let them continue to spread their lies to hate its nothing new in our history. we keep we eye open as well as our hearts.”
Marley’s comments come as University and college students protesting against the Israeli war on Gaza have led to widespread police crackdowns, resulting in over 2,000 arrests across the United States. Students have established protest encampments at universities, demanding divestment from companies complicit in Israeli abuses against Palestinians according to Al Jazeera.
Elite institutions like Columbia University, have seen pro-Palestinian activism gaining momentum’s well as in the US South. In New Orleans, known for its historic civil rights activism, protests have particularly been met with hostility and violence.
Ziggy Marley is set to embark on his Circle Of Life US tour staring May 24 to October 5, making stops in several cities where protestors are demonstrating from California to Florida. He has been a central figure in the discussion around the war due to his father Bob Marley’s stance against injustice and his own posts on social media. Seven months ago he made a middle of the road post questioning who are the beneficiaries of war.
He posted instagram, “If you have time think, i ask who really profit from never ending wars and conflicts 
The wickeds , the devils. For its business model to work it needs to continually incentivize, foment and educate hatred and fear between tribes and peoples. You can pick a reason for there are many to SELF justify any action. Thats the genius of it’s game . Give human beings a reason to commit the worst acts on eachother and human beings will. They say it’s in our nature and we cannot evolve past it or resist its wicked pull.”
On April 28, Demonstrators in New Orleans set up green tents in Jackson Square, demanding city divestment from Israeli interests. This marked the first time the movement expanded beyond universities in New Orleans, amplifying their message amidst escalating violence in Gaza.
This week the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) concluded a week-long operation in Gaza, conducted by the 99th Division, the operation focused primarily on the Zeytun neighborhood in central Gaza. The Nahal Brigade, Carmeli Brigade (2), and Rabbi Memdit unit executed precise raids in Zeytun, dismantling various terrorist infrastructures, including attack tunnels, a lathe for producing anti-tank missiles, launch pits, and several Hamas headquarters used for planning and executing attacks against IDF forces.
Additionally, IDF forces destroyed a military headquarters within the Ein Jalot school complex, which had been identified through intelligence from Aman and the Shin Bet. This school had been repurposed by Hamas to serve as a command center, launching anti-tank missiles and mortars at IDF troops.
Parallel operations by the 679th IDF forces targeted the central Gaza Strip corridor and the Bakshi neighborhood, neutralizing terrorists and uncovering more underground infrastructures. Throughout the operations, the 990th Fire Brigade, in collaboration with the Air Force, targeted and attacked over 100 locations.
