As the conflict between Israel and Palestine rages on, many fans urge their favorite celebrities to use their platform to spur and encourage peace and change. Selena Gomez was silent about the issue for many months, but on Oct. 30th released a statement on her Instagram story. Days later, after receiving some backlash from fans, she announced she would be taking a break from Instagram… which lasted for a single week. The singer is now receiving even more backlash from angry fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Selena Gomez's statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict
In a post to her Instagram story on Oct. 30th, Selena shared her thoughts and sympathies for those suffering from the violence between Israel and Palestine. Her statement reads:
"I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all the horror, hate, violence, and terror that's going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect ALL people, especially children and stop the violence for good. I'm sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or hashtag I just can't stand by innocent people getting hurt. That's what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won't."
But fans didn't take kindly to this statement, though the actress followed this story post with another saying she was donating to Unicef USA. Many fans responded to the star's statement on X. "She's literally the most followed woman on IG but her post won't do anything?" one user posted. "Um, okay."
Another person tweeted, "Does she not know how big her influence is when she brings attention to an issue?" Selena sports 420M Instagram followers and is in fact the most followed woman on the platform.
Just a few days later, on Nov. 2nd, Selena announced that she would be deleting Instagram, writing a terse story post that reads: "I am taking a break and deleting my Instagram. I’m done. I do not support any of what’s going on."
Selena Gomez's social media break lasts one week
Though Selena said she would be deleting her Instagram, she did in fact return to the platform one week later, posting a series of Instagram stories on Nov. 9th.
In the photos, which fans speculate are promoting her series, Selena + Chef, she is pictured at Moo's Craft Barbeque posing with the restuarant's owners and holding a tray of food. In a second photo, she is leaning on a large wooden cutting board set on a countertop with knives, measuring cups, and a food scale next to her.
Fans again took to X to slam the star. "What happened to her 'break'?" one user tweeted.
"Wasn't she deleting her Instagram?" another user asked. "Guess when she needs to promote things it's a great time to use her platform."
"Oh, so, break is over now," another person tweeted.
"Damage control is working overtime," another added. "Her image is like glass, she can't afford to break it."
