By Arwad Khalifeh
Last week, the Daily Mail Online, a British tabloid, published an exclusive interview with Palestinian superstar Mohammed Assaf, where he made a passionate plea for Israel to stop killing innocent civilians after seeing "families and friends destroyed in seconds."
Now, however, that story has mysteriously disappeared from their website.
No explanation was given as to why the pro-Palestinian article has been taken down, but some believe that politics may have pushed for the DM to have it removed.
In the interview, Assaf, a Gaza native, highlighted the terror Israel has been inflicting on his people for as long as he could remember.
Assaf told MailOnline how he witnessed countless deaths at the hands of Israeli forces after moving to the Khan Younis refugee Camp in Gaza when he was just four.
Assaf said that he often relives the horrors of his childhood when making regular trips back to Gaza to deliver aid in his role as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Palestine.
"The overwhelming majority of the Palestinians killed were innocent civilians. It's harrowing to see this level of suffering among my people," the singer said.
But what stuck in readers' minds the most was Assaf's description of Gaza as "Hell on earth."
"When bombs and bullets are pouring down on defenceless communities, and there is absolutely nowhere to run, then it is like absolute hell on earth.
"It is an unimaginably frightening situation and I went through it regularly during Israeli attacks while I was growing up. I saw the lives of families and friends destroyed in seconds."
But perhaps it was statements like this that led the DM to unpublish their story: "Israel has illegally grabbed almost eighty per cent of our land, and we are the only people in the 21st century to be colonised and to be forced to live under military occupation," Assaf pointed out.
The interview was conducted while Assaf was in London for his first ever concert. The Arab Idol winner performed to a sold-out Westminster Central Hall on November 28.
Assaf said he particularly wanted to visit London after the British parliament last month voted to recognise Palestine as an independent state.
"It was a hugely important step and one which added to the great hope all Palestinians share. I have to admit, I feel immensely proud to be here.
"Now there needs to be official recognition of the Palestinian state. This is particularly relevant for the UK, given its historical responsibility for starting the Arab-Israeli conflict in the first place," he added.
The superstar then went on to talk about the war in Palestine, Israel and its oppression and apartheid of his people. He also spoke about his great achievements since winning the popular singing competition Arab Idol in 2013.
If you would like to read the full interview on our website, follow the link here.
