A prominent Palestinian actor from Gaza, known for his viral social media videos during the recent conflict, is facing accusations of misappropriating donation funds. Saleh al-Jafarawi, better known by his moniker "Mr. Papo," has come under fire from fellow Gaza residents who claim he has stolen hundreds of thousands of shekels meant for relief efforts.
The 25-year-old al-Jafarawi gained widespread attention for his numerous appearances in social media videos throughout the conflict. He portrayed various roles, including a Hamas member, field journalist, father of an injured child, patient at Shifa Hospital, and displaced person in Khan Yunis. His performances even inspired a sketch on the Israeli satirical show "Eretz Nehederet."
"Mr. FAFO" é um conhecido ator da fábrica de mentiras Gazawood, ele já apareceu em várias cenas de propaganda do grupo terrorista Hamas.
Ele se tornou uma piada entre os israelenses porque é um péssimo ator. Apenas a esquerda ocidental de QI baixo caí em suas mentiras. pic.twitter.com/FaYxk93tCL
— David 🎗️ (@brzl_david) June 13, 2024
However, Jafarawi's popularity has taken a hit as Palestinians in Gaza have begun questioning his integrity. Social media users are demanding answers about alleged missing funds, with one user asking, "Where is the 630,000 shekels you stole, Saleh?" Alongside Jafarawi, Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, who recently left Gaza for Qatar and then the United States, is also implicated in the accusations.
Mustafa Ashfour, a blogger with thousands of followers on X, criticized the actor, writing, "The donation thief, Saleh al-Jafarawi. Saleh used his journalistic work and exploited the suffering of our people in Gaza to steal donations. In other words, it's normal for him to convince people he's injured when he doesn't have a scratch. It's very easy for him to convince people he's an angel and a journalist, and then plunder money."
Another social media user shared an account from a hospital nurse, claiming that Jafarawi regularly visited to film videos for sympathy despite having only minor injuries that required no medical treatment.
While Jafarawi has not directly addressed these allegations, he recently posted a video on X showing himself distributing donations to residents of displaced persons camps in southern Gaza. The video garnered tens of thousands of views and thousands of comments.
الحمد لله رب العالمين، ربنا يتقبل منا ومنكم ✨♥️
Alhamdulillah, May Allah accept the good deeds from us and from you ♥️✨ pic.twitter.com/qQNx7JH0fM
— صالح الجعفراوي | Saleh Aljafarawi (@S_Aljafarawi) June 21, 2024
Some defenders of Jafarawi argue that many individuals profited and gained fame during the conflict, but "Mr. Papo" is being singled out due to his support for "resistance," referring to Hamas. Others suggest that those making these accusations are affiliated with the rival Fatah organization.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, numerous Palestinians in Gaza have gained prominence on social media platforms. Some have reportedly used their newfound status to raise substantial funds for themselves and their families, often with the aim of leaving Gaza.
