Steal My Content

The Origin 

In October 2023, Zaid Shurbaji launched a conceptual artwork that quickly resonated with millions worldwide. The project began with a flyer—at first glance reading “I support Israel”—inviting passersby to tear off a strip. With each tear, a red mark is left behind, and as the flyer empties, the hidden image of a child victim from Gaza is revealed. The work uses visual metaphor and audience interaction to confront complicity and awaken empathy. 

The Purpose

The goal was never just virality—it was empowerment.
At the time, the world was watching events unfold in Gaza, and many, especially in Western countries, felt a profound sense of helplessness. Zaid wanted to transform that paralysis into participation.
By linking the video to downloadable print materials and a simple step-by-step guide, the project gave people everywhere a tool for real, visible action—a way to participate, express solidarity, and provoke discussion in their own cities, campuses, and public spaces.

Global Participation

From the beginning, Zaid encouraged people to go beyond simply downloading and using the artwork:
He called for translations, asking followers and supporters to help bring the project to their own languages and communities. While machine translation tools exist, the act of translating by hand became part of the participation—a way for individuals worldwide to contribute, collaborate, and actively shape the work.

Over the weeks that followed, submissions poured in. Volunteers from across the globe sent translations, suggestions, and feedback. Each new language version became both a unique artwork and a symbol of international, grassroots solidarity. Zaid prepared and shared new templates in each language, amplifying the campaign’s reach and making every participant feel like an essential part of a living, evolving movement.

The Impact

Within days, the video reached millions—over 3 million people on Instagram alone, with countless more through shares, reposts, and recreations across every major platform.
The flyer was printed and posted in cities worldwide, each version adapted by local hands and voices. It appeared in news reports, on activist pages, and in public demonstrations, serving as both an artwork and a protest tool.
Many recreations were shared without attribution—a testament to the project’s open-source philosophy, where the message was more important than the author.

The Spirit of the Project

This artwork is about more than protest—it’s about restoring agency and community in the face of global events that make us feel powerless.
Through collective creation, translation, and participation, art can become an act of resistance and a catalyst to voice the voiceless.