Israel's 'Spotify wrapped'-inspired post on military actions sparks global outrage

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently faced severe backlash after releasing a year-end recap inspired by Spotify Wrapped, a feature that highlights users' annual music preferences.

The IDF's version, titled "Your Top Songs 2024," used the format to showcase their "operational achievements," including the targeted killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

In a social media post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF reimagined military actions as tracks on a public playlist. Among the most controversial entries were titles like "Dead," referring to Nasrallah's elimination, and "Dead Pt. II," referencing Sinwar's death. Other entries included “19,000+ Terrorists Eliminated,” styled as part of an album called "Bye Bye Bye," mimicking the iconic NSYNC song.

The IDF captioned the post, “Thought we would share our year, wrapped.”

The post was met with significant backlash online, with critics accusing the IDF of trivializing violence and loss of life. Many social media users responded by creating their own versions of the "Wrapped" format to highlight the devastating humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

One user wrote, “Your top war crimes: Killing over 100,000 people in Gaza, displacing millions, destroying hospitals, and causing mass starvation.”

News outlet Mondoweiss also parodied the IDF's post, sharing a template titled “Israel’s Genocide Wrapped.” The content included stark statistics, such as over 2,00,000 Palestinian deaths, 1.5 million displaced, and over 20,000 children missing.

“Turning death and destruction into a Spotify Wrapped parody? This is grotesque on a whole new level,” commented another user. “Celebrating violence like it’s a greatest hits album shows the complete dehumanization in this conflict.”

The controversy comes amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza, particularly in the north. Over 10,000 residents were evacuated from Beit Lahia within 24 hours, as the IDF continues its offensive.

On Wednesday, Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Their report highlighted indiscriminate civilian killings, severe bodily and mental harm, and conditions deliberately calculated to cause the physical destruction of Palestinians.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, stated, “Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating intent to physically destroy them.”