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Noel Fielding’s partner Lliana Bird reveals mum in Israel is ‘in and out of bomb shelters’ amid violence
Lliana Bird has revealed her mother is ‘in and out of bomb shelters’ in Israel amid the violence with Palestine.
Sharing an update on social media this week, the radio presenter – who shares two children with Great British Bake Off host Noel Fielding – said her mother was ‘fine but tired’.
She also encouraged people to ‘educate’ themselves on the violence as many feel compelled to share slides and infographics on social media.
It comes as the two sides continued to exchange fire – as Hamas sent a barrage of rockets towards Israel while Gaza was pounded with more airstrikes this week.
Lliana – who is the co-founder of humanitarian aid charity Choose Love – wrote on Thursday evening: ‘Thank you to everyone who has sent me private messages. My mum is in and out of bomb shelters and tired, but thankfully she’s fine.
‘Many aren’t, and it’s horrifying and heartbreaking in equal measures. My heart goes out to the innocent HUMANS who have lost their loved ones, whether they be Israeli or Palestinian.’
She continued: ‘Many of you will feel compelled to comment or show solidarity with either the Palestinians, with Israelis (or indeed with non-Israeli jews who are often harassed or questioned about Israel, despite it not being their country/ anything to do with them). It’s understandable.
‘The suffering of the Palestinians has been protected and relentless. Israelis have suffered too, to a different degree. They also hold power and with power comes responsibility.’
Stating it would be impossible to summarise the conflict in an Instagram post, Lliana encouraged her followers to read ‘outside their bubble’ and ‘understand the power of propaganda’.
She explained: ‘It won’t change your perspective, sympathies or heartbreak. But knowledge is power. And if we understand a little more of a complex situation perhaps we can do something to change it.’
Lliana went on to announce ‘F**k Netanyahu’ [Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel] as well as Hamas [The Palestinian militant group that rules Gaza] before adding ‘peace to all innocents’.
The star shared a series of posts before revealing she was stepping back from social media ‘for a while’.
She added: ‘I’m praying for those innocent children tonight. And I’m truly very sorry.’
The relentless escalation of hostilities came even as Egyptian negotiators held in-person talks with the two sides, and international efforts to restore peace intensified – but appeared no closer to finding a solution.
Yesterday it was reported Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death toll has climbed to 87 Palestinians, including 18 children and eight women, with 530 people wounded.
Islamic Jihad confirmed the deaths of seven militants, while Hamas has acknowledged 13 of its militants killed, including a senior commander.
Israel says the number of militants dead is much higher and that seven people have died in Israel.
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