I will never forget when Dr. Refaat Alareer taught us in our poetry class that Shakespeare's works endure because they speak to universal, timeless themes. At the time, I thought it was a powerful idea, but it wasn’t until Israel brutally murdered our beloved teacher that I truly understood the profound truth behind his words.
On December 6, 2023, Israel murdered Refaat Alareer along with several members of his family after he received death threats from Israeli accounts online. His crime? He stood firmly against Israeli propaganda and tirelessly championed the truth.
Looking back, it's no surprise that Refaat had such a deep affinity for Shakespeare. Just as poets and creatives are drawn to Shakespeare's sonnets and plays, so too are those who seek to understand the true thoughts and experiences of Palestinians. In many ways, Refaat Alareer has become a measure of truth for those with a conscience — a voice that people turn to for authenticity and insight.
Refaat’s poem, , has since become a symbol of defiance, echoed by leaders and deeply felt by the oppressed everywhere. His images and words now grace walls, banners, and streets around the globe, serving as powerful tributes to Gaza's unbreakable spirit.
Refaat Alareer's legacy endures because he showed us that writing is not just a craft but an act of courage and resistance. In one of his final interviews, he boldly stated that if Israeli soldiers were to invade his home, he would defend his family with the only weapon he had: a marker.
Refaat and I grew close in 2022 when I was appointed a graduate teaching assistant at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) — now largely in ruins after Israel bombed the campus three times during the ongoing assault.
I quickly noticed that Refaat was following my investigative reports, and I often saw the spark of enthusiasm in his eyes as he passionately discussed fact-checking issues.
Our shared love for truth and verification sparked a friendly rivalry.
During lecture breaks, we would sit together with our laptops, sipping our favourite milkshakes, and race to find the source of a claim faster than the other. He would throw out a random claim from X and challenge me: “1-2-3, find the source!”
And when he won, with that mischievous grin, he’d tease, “You’ll never catch up to half of Alareer in fact-checking!”
Refaat Alareer: The 'voice of Gaza'
In our shared office, we spent countless hours sifting through X, debunking viral pro-Israel disinformation. Refaat was always quick to forward claims for immediate investigation, many of which eventually turned into published reports.
Anyone who knew Refaat Alareer understood that he was a master multitasker. It was always a mystery to us how he managed to juggle so many things at once. "How does Refaat do it all?" I would often ask my friends. "Does he even sleep?"
He would send me materials well past midnight, only to show up, sharp as ever, for his 8:00 a.m. classes the next day.
Even after we wrapped up for the evening and were leaving the office, I’d receive a message from him before I could even find a ride home.
He would often ask me about trending topics in the Israeli feed on X. “Is this real or fake? Can you check it for me?” he’d ask eagerly. Sometimes, he’d challenge me with a smile, “I bet you can’t figure out if this photo’s been doctored or not!” His relentless curiosity and passion for uncovering the truth made every moment of this work thrilling.
Subscribe Now and Listen to our Podcasts OnRefaat constantly pushed me to write more fact-checking reports. He was always proactive, setting up Google Docs for collaboration, where we would gather sources and develop ideas to ensure thorough investigations.
He also had a deep passion for digging into the historical context of Israel. I vividly remember a time when we were brainstorming an article on Israeli cultural appropriation of Palestinian heritage. I suggested we examine how Israel strategically adopts aspects of Palestinian identity and repurposes them to fit its own narrative.
His eyes immediately lit up. He quickly opened a Doc on his laptop and urged me to elaborate. What began as a casual discussion soon evolved into a plan for a research paper — a project that remains unfinished because Israel took us from him.
But I will finish that paper because I owe it to him and to the truth he fought for relentlessly.
On the last day I saw Refaat, he said, “We need to co-write a fact-checking review on Golda (2023). The movie is full of misinformation.” He was unwavering in his determination to expose Israeli falsehoods. Despite having his X accounts restricted multiple times, he ran several others to continue spreading the truth, never allowing himself to be silenced.
Dr. Refaat Alareer was committed to critical thinking and media literacy, focusing on his students.
He emphasised the importance of verifying information before sharing it, urging them not to fall prey to Israeli propaganda.
In June 2023, he invited me to deliver workshops to his graduate students at the incubators of IUG and UCAS, where students prepared to work as freelancers.
When I asked him what translators and content writers would do with fact-checking training, he quoted Charles Dickens, “Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts.”
He was even more excited than the students to attend these sessions. He was taking notes, and after each workshop, he would pepper me with more questions, eager to know new tricks to expose fake news.
When Israel's war on Gaza erupted, Refaat’s resolve only grew stronger. He bombarded me with dozens of claims, videos, and photos daily, all demanding verification.
Amid the chaos, he never failed to check in on me, asking how my family and I were coping with the relentless Israeli bombings in our area. Even during my brief breaks, his messages kept pouring in, urging me to investigate further.
In early November 2023, I lost my internet connection and was unable to work. Refaat immediately sent me an eSIM and patiently walked me through the steps to activate it so I could continue my work.
Though fact-checking has taken its toll on me, — his memory fuels my determination. I have contributed to over 250 investigations into the Israeli offensive, and I feel as though I am still doing this for Refaat and for Gaza.
Now, more than ever, we need his voice. Amid the war, Israeli hasbara has grown more pervasive, and the fight against it demands that we continue his work. To truly honour his legacy, we must strive to be like Refaat Alareer — fearless, unwavering, and unrelenting in our commitment to the truth.
Wesam Abo Marq is a Palestinian journalist, writer, and English-Arabic translator. He currently works as an English language lecturer at the Islamic University of Gaza and as a freelance translator for the Palestinian Return Center in London.
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