Selena Gomez said Monday that she has left her social media platforms amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, explaining why she has not taken a strong public stance on the issue.
“I took a break from social media because my heart is breaking seeing all the horror, hate, violence and terror going on in the world,” the actress-singer, 31, said on Instagram Stories. “People being tortured and murdered, or any form of hatred towards any group, is horrible.”
The Grand Prairie, Texas, resident said she worried about everyone involved in the ongoing war.
“We need to protect ALL people, especially children, and stop violence for good,” the Only Murders in the Building star said. “I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or any hashtag.”
Gomez said she couldn’t just “allow innocent people to get hurt” and that it makes her “sick,” ultimately saying, “I wish I could change the world.” But not a post.’
The latest: Selena Gomez, 31, said Monday that she has left her social media platforms amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and why she has not taken a strong public stance on the issue. Pictured in Paris last month
The actress-singer shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories on Monday
Gomez posted a photo of her sister Gracie Elliott Teefey, 10, on Monday and said having a young sibling has increased her sensitivity to the subject.
“Having a sister has made me tragically sick every day,” she said alongside a photo of her sibling. “I would do anything for children and innocent lives.”
Gomez said last year she took more than four years off from going online, let her assistant manage her account and said it was a life-changing decision she made for the better.
Appears on Good morning America in April 2022, Gomez said that staying offline had completely changed her life.
“I’m happier, I’m more present, I’m connecting with people more,” said Gomez, who returned in person earlier this year.
Gomez announced earlier this year that she was taking a break from her social media in February as she was embroiled in a controversy surrounding her boyfriend Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber, the supermodel wife of her ex, Justin Bieber.
“I’m going to take some time from social media because this is a little weird,” Gomez said on TikTok Live. ‘And I’m 30, I’m too old for this, but I love you guys so much and I’ll see you sooner or later. I’m going to take a break from everything.”
Monday was the 24th day of the conflict, when the Health Ministry in Gaza (which is run by Hamas) put the Palestinian death toll at 8,306, with more than 110 Palestinian people killed in fighting in the West Bank. AP reported.
Gomez posted a photo of her sister Gracie Elliott Teefey, 10, on Monday and said having a young sibling has increased her sensitivity to the subject
Gomez said last year that she took more than four years off from going online and let her assistant manage her account, adding that it was a life-changing decision that she made for the better
Monday was the 24th day of the conflict, when Israeli forces fired flares into the sky in the Gaza region
Israeli military officials said the death toll of Israeli people killed has passed more than 1,400, with the majority coming when Hamas militants stormed the Supernova music festival on October 7 and massacred hundreds of Israeli people, taking 240 hostages to take back to Gaza.
Gomez’s stance comes at a time when Hollywood has been divided in its responses, with some people being cautious about their public commentary on the divisive issue.
Supermodel Bella Hadid, whose father is from Palestine, spoke publicly for the first time last week about the conflict in the Middle East, saying she and her family have been threatened after her sister Gigi spoke out publicly about the issue.
Celebrities who have publicly pledged their support for Israel include Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Brady, Amy Schumer, Michael Rapaport and Israeli-born Gal Gadot.
Gomez’s ex Justin Bieber faced a backlash earlier this month after getting his facts wrong when he posted and deleted a message that read “Praying for Israel” against the backdrop of war-torn Gaza. He then replaced the inaccurate image with a generic background and the same message.
On Saturday, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie issued a statement saying she hoped for a ceasefire in the area.