Today, I write this with deep disappointment towards a community I once cherished—one that I grew up with and loved, despite the racism I often encountered within this game. We are all aware of the ongoing genocide that Palestinians have been enduring for nearly a year. As a Palestinian living in Palestine, I have witnessed the solidarity we've shown in difficult times. I remember how we used the forums to speak up about Black Lives Matter, but when I searched for support regarding Palestine, all I found was a mere "Send prayers." But prayers are not enough.

YoWorld has a significant number of Arab players who have dedicated not just their childhoods, but also their time, energy, and even real money to this game. The least that could be done in response to this ongoing genocide is to raise donations and actually give back to a community in desperate need, instead of just taking from it. BVG is quick to ban anyone involved in selling or buying coins, yet they fail to recognize that some people genuinely need this money. I know an American friend who sold coins to pay her rent during COVID, and a Lebanese friend who did the same to repair her home after the Beirut Port explosion.

I’ve been playing this game since I was nine years old. Today, I am 24. Although I don’t play as often as I once did, it’s clear that this game has taught me many things—including how people can be driven by greed and how racism continues to harm brown and black communities. This is a wake-up call to truly support families in need. What Gaza is facing is a humanitarian crisis, and I wish BVG would show any form of genuine support. This is more than just a game. The people here are not merely players; we have real-life stories that could unite us.

As a Palestinian, like many others, I live under constant threat. We don't know if we'll die in our sleep or wake up to another day. We don't know if we'll have access to food, clean water, or medicine. I cannot fully express the deep disappointment I feel towards a company that has the resources to make a difference, yet chooses not to.

Much love

The world seems unable to see that the children of those who survived the holocaust are now the ones committing genocide.

I have seen enough dismembered kids while Israelis are dancing on nearby beaches shouting "I'm going to buy beachfront property in Gaza", to know where I stand.

If YoWorld can take sides and openly stand with Ukraine in its time of need, the very least we can do is not censor any discussions around this topic.

Regarding the issue of selling coins, I understand where you're coming from and respect it but it's the same scenario as a hungry person stealing from a supermarket to feed themselves or their family. I don't find it immoral. I would never dare to criticize it but the matter is, it is still llegal and when it comes to YoWorld "the supermarket" is not a big corporation like Target but a smaller local store.

Thank you! We should call out selective activism when it's endured by BVG, as you said, for Ukraine they have showed support, but unfortunately it is never the same with Palestine in their eyes.

ISSUE 1 - The Israelis seem to be reacting to whatever happens to them. As do the Palestinians. This whipsaw has been occurring for decades. Obviously there are countless issues to blame - outsiders using Gaza as an attack vector - sharing the land - racism on BOTH sides - poverty - etc etc. The pain of the innocent Palestinians and Israelis comes at the expense of those who cannot tolerate peace. There are plenty of them on both sides and I hope they are ultimately held accountable. But I doubt it. Methinks this is only the beginning......

ISSUE 2 - BVG should stay as far away from all social issues as possible. This is a game. They beat the hell out of us when we bring real life stuff in to the forums, yet they constantly do it in the game. Social issues are landmines. They should avoid them all like the plague.

ISSUE 3 - Coin selling was harming the game for the benefit of the players who did it. I don't care if they were using the money to keep kittens from dying, I'm glad they are gone from Yo.

On a personal level, I hope peace and prosperity find your home. I can't imagine trying to make a life in that environment. The world needs more kindness, and it is in short supply.

Puddin (126579776) wrote:ISSUE 1 - The Israelis seem to be reacting to whatever happens to them. As do the Palestinians. This whipsaw has been occurring for decades. Obviously there are countless issues to blame - outsiders using Gaza as an attack vector - sharing the land - racism on BOTH sides - poverty - etc etc. The pain of the innocent Palestinians and Israelis comes at the expense of those who cannot tolerate peace. There are plenty of them on both sides and I hope they are ultimately held accountable. But I doubt it. Methinks this is only the beginning......

Rod, I think you're presenting the issue at hand as if we've got two countries of equal or at least approximate strength fighting each other like the US vs Russia but that's not the case here. Zionists want the land and Palestinians are fighting to maintain their land. The people of Israel are complicit in this - it's not just the leaders.

The Holocaust created an obvious need for a homeland for Jews somewhere where they could live free from persecution.

But now Zionists will do anything to secure that land even by committing genocide over the Palestinians and they've got their history/ the Holocaust to protect them from condemnation. We've all been taught about WW2 and the Holocaust in school but never about Palestine so how can anyone have a clear perspective on the issue when we've been learning about the plight of one country while disregarding the other?

The West is clearly supporting the Zionists because 1) it benefited them back then after the Word Wars to have a Jewish state after the displacement of the Jews and 2) it benefits them so they can establish their power/ a Western Colony in the Middle East. After all, how many times have we heard from the media that Israel "is the only (western) Democracy in the Middle East"?

I'd advise anyone who wants to be informed about what is happening to Palestine to just open up a Twitter account and start digging up things - to see the real images of the so-called "war" for yourselves.

Is the US funding Ukraine and Israel out of the goodness of their hearts? Are they trying to "stop" wars in the Middle East because they care? They're doing it to establish dominance in the front with Russia and in the Middle East. So, how can we expect the US media and generally Western media to take the side of an Arabic country or to at least be objective when it is the same countries that benefit from the annihilation of Palestine?

I realize the disparity. I realize the constraints. The humanitarian outcry is legit. None of it will matter. There is no amount of social media imagery that will change any of it. Establishing Israel as a nation in 1948 created a permanent crease in land that has been contested for ages. The Zionists will push until they are pushed harder, and then it will escalate. The only way peace will come is the same way it came in 1948.....with leaders signing agreements over bodies of the endless dead.

We are a ridiculous species. We never learn. We never have enough, even if we have it all.

I'm not excusing any of it, but I do understand it. I hope the people being used as proxies understand their emotions are being leveraged against them. But they won't care until one side or the other sees enough death that they concede - for now.

Puddin (126579776) wrote:I realize the disparity. I realize the constraints. The humanitarian outcry is legit. None of it will matter. There is no amount of social media imagery that will change any of it. Establishing Israel as a nation in 1948 created a permanent crease in land that has been contested for ages. The Zionists will push until they are pushed harder, and then it will escalate. The only way peace will come is the same way it came in 1948.....with leaders signing agreements over bodies of the endless dead.

We are a ridiculous species. We never learn. We never have enough, even if we have it all.

I'm not excusing any of it, but I do understand it. I hope the people being used as proxies understand their emotions are being leveraged against them. But they won't care until one side or the other sees enough death that they concede - for now.

Very well said!