Taking to Instagram Stories, Selena Gomez announced her social media hiatus and voiced her concern for the ongoing situation in Palestine and Israel. After explaining her social media absence, the gifted actor-singer made a moving plea for the safety of all innocent people.
Gomez voiced her concern for those on all sides of the conflict, saying it broke her heart to see “horror, hate, violence, and terror” around the globe. The 31-year-old explained why she has been away from social media: “My heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that is going on in the world.” Torture and murder of innocent people, or acts of hatred against any community, are abhorrent.
The native Texan expressed her worries for all parties involved. She also stressed the importance of ending violence for good and the necessity of safeguarding all individuals, especially children. I apologize if what I say will never be adequate for anyone or a hashtag. I just can’t sit idly by while good people suffer. What really makes me ill is that. Wishing for a better world is not enough. A mere posting, however, will not do. Regards, Selena.
The artist also provided a personal perspective, saying that her heightened sensitivity can be attributed to her younger sister, Gracie Elliott Teefey, age 10. She posted a picture of herself with Teefey and wrote, “Having a sister every day has made me tragically sick.” If it meant protecting kids and innocent people, I’d do it.
However, many have criticized Gomez for suggesting social media activists are meaningless. Even if Selena Gomez is of Mexican descent, only white lives matter. “Despite having 430 million followers, Selena felt her voice wouldn’t make any difference during her empathetic call during the Ukraine war,” a user commented on X.
Despite being an advocate for kindness, she seems to be making a big deal out of nothing. When I see a narcissist, I know a narcissist,” said another. When asked, “What does “I’d do anything” mean to her? Why hasn’t she done more for these kids? One user inquired.
Famous people who stand with Israel
Gomez’s stance has divided the Hollywood industry as a whole. Some famous people have been reluctant to speak out on the issue, while others have not been shy about sharing their opinions. Celebrities including Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Brady, Amy Schumer, Michael Rapaport, and Israel-born Gal Gadot have all stated their support for the Jewish state.
Earlier this month, Gomez’s ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber received backlash for a message he posted and later deleted that said “Praying for Israel” over a background of war-torn Gaza. Later, he switched out the misleading picture for a plain one that nonetheless bore the same message.
Jennifer Anniston has previously donated to charities that aid victims in Israel and Palestine. She expressed sympathy for the grieving family, saying, “My heart is with the families.”
Famous people supporting Palestinian rights
More than 110 Palestinians have been killed in violence in the West Bank, according to the Associated Press, and the Health Ministry in Gaza has put the death toll there at 8,306.
Oscar winner Angelina Jolie called for a truce in a statement she sent on Saturday. The Oscar winner posted a carousel on Instagram with the following caption: “Like millions around the world, I have spent the last weeks sick and angry at the terrorist attack in Israel, the death of so many innocent civilians, and wondering how best to help.” Terrorism describes what happened in Israel. However, this does not excuse the bombing of defenseless civilians in Gaza who have no safe haven, no means of escape, no access to food or water, and no way to cross the border to safety.
“Gaza has a population of over two million people (half of them children), who have lived under a severe blockade for nearly two decades,” the Lara Croft actor said, referencing her extensive work in humanitarian relief as the former Special Envoy to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The bombings are producing severe new humanitarian needs every day, and the few relief trucks that are arriving are only a fraction of what is needed (and was provided daily before the present conflict).
Depriving a population of necessities like food, water, and energy is a form of collective punishment, the actor maintained. We must call a ceasefire now for the sake of humanity. The lives of Palestinians and Israelis, and indeed all individuals everywhere, are of equal value. Everything that can be done to protect civilians and save lives should be.
Supermodel Bella Hadid, who is of Palestinian descent, stated, “This is the most intense bombardment in the history of Gaza.” She added that her family has been threatened because of their role. Israel “owes no one any justification,” according to the National Security Council of the White House, and the country would draw “no red lines.” Defending humanity requires the justifiable sacrifice of innocent lives at all times.
In solidarity with Oxfam America, a group of singers, actresses, and other artists have penned an open letter to express their opposition to Israel’s ongoing military attack on the Palestinian people. Dua Lipa, Andrew Garfield, Macklemore, Diplo, Caroline Polachek, and Ben Affleck are just some of the celebrities who have signed a statement proclaiming that “all life is sacred” and that the killing of Palestinian and Israeli citizens is unacceptable regardless of religion or race.
Hadid warned her fans that Israel had cut off all energy and communications to the Gaza Strip, with dire consequences. Currently, injured individuals have no way to contact emergency services. “Doctors are pleading with reporters to tell them where the bombings are, but the media has no idea because of the outage,” she said. The fashion model concluded her brief statement by stressing the critical nature of immediate action.
