Selena Gomez Is Getting Canceled

Social media users are "canceling" Selena Gomez following the star's comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

The actress, singer and beauty mogul first came under fire in October, with fans slamming the 31-year-old's "neutral" statement on the conflict. She is one of several celebrities facing criticism for their response to the situation.

Gomez's cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, is also facing boycott calls from pro-Palestinian buyers over CEO Scott Friedman's rumored support of Israel.

Newsweek reached out to representatives for Gomez and Friedman via email for comment.

On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking another 240 hostage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country was at war, unleashing airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Supplies of food, medicine, fuel and energy into Gaza were suspended, before Israel launched a ground offensive into the territory. As of Wednesday, at least 19,600 people have been killed in Gaza, the Associated Press reported, while 1.9 million of the area's population of 2.3 million have been displaced due to the fighting.

Whether supporting Israel, Palestinians or remaining neutral on the topic, many famous faces have received backlash and lost followers due to their stance on the war.

On Tuesday, Sephora shared a promotional clip of Gomez showcasing Rare Beauty's new Find Comfort body collection to Instagram. However, users bombarded the post with disparaging comments and cancellation threats.

"Rare beauty won't get another penny from me," said Nadine.

"She's canceled," wrote Claudia Betic.

"We are anti-cruelty and anti-genocide, sorry @selenagomez we won't support your brand," said Nihal Devries.

"Oh there she is! Little miss selective activist!" commented Sirine Ayari.

"For me Human life is more important," said Mim.

"Was a fan, not anymore," wrote Tresy Maria John. "Your silence have lost you your supporters."

Fans of Huda Beauty also hijacked the comments section. The cosmetic brand faced boycott calls in October after founder Huda Kattan said she didn't want "blood money" from Israeli customers on Instagram—with the pro-Palestinian entrepreneur willing to risk her "entire business" over her stance on the war.

"No thanks. I support #hudabeauty," commented Ghadir Talaat.

"Huda beauty is better anyway," said Nessrine.

"Team Huda beauty!!!!" declared Jacqueline Younis Bibi, while Oumaima Abdeljawed wrote: "Huda beauty alllll the way."

However, other users stepped in to defend Gomez, with Herlinda Linares asking: "Why does everything have to be political these days?

"Can't we just talk about beauty on a beauty page anymore?!" they commented.

Please show love to hudas beauty comment section instead of trying to destroy another female entrepreneur," said Miss Sara Sparkle. "Sorry but this post is for Selena Fans."

What Did Gomez Say About Israel-Hamas?

On October 30, Gomez responded to fans asking for her thoughts on the Israel-Hamas conflict with an Instagram Story post, explaining that she'd taken a social-media break for mental health reasons.

"People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any group is horrific," she said in the statement. "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 a hashtag. I wish I could change the world, but a post won't."

Although Gomez expressed sorrow for the innocent lives lost, several users blasted the Only Murders in the Building star for not supporting either Israel or Palestinians, instead choosing to take a neutral stance.

"Prioritizing your mental health over sharing awareness on a genocide? really selena?" asked one user.

"A post won't save the world, but it can help," commented another. "It can help bring awareness and you're just choosing not to do anything."

Other followers criticized her for speaking out on the Ukraine War and other social causes but not taking a stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"Friendly reminder that Selena Gomez dropped links for Ukraine in a heartbeat, but the kind sensitive girl choosing to log off social media because she doesn't want to see violence," one Instagrammer commented.

"Shame on you Selena. Stay kind silence [sic] as always," wrote another.

On Friday, X users accused the VMA award winner of using famous pal Taylor Swift as a "PR stunt" to detract from the negative publicity, with the pair spotted hanging out at a comedy benefit in support of Palestinians.

Why is Rare Beauty Being Boycotted?

Pro-Palestinian social media users vowed to boycott Rare Beauty in November, over claims that Friedman is a "Zionist." Britannica describes Zionism as a Jewish nationalist movement, dedicated to the creation and preservation of a Jewish national state in what was once known as Palestine, now Israel.

Posting to X, formerly Twitter, user @surburbanzlut shared a screenshot of Friedman's follow list on Instagram before he set his account to private.

The screenshot appeared to show Friedman following multiple pro-Israel accounts such as @idf (Israel Defense Forces), @ajewishresistance (Jewish Resistance) and @aipac (American Israel Public Affairs Committee).

Rare Beauty later shared a statement on the Israel-Hamas war to its Instagram account. The brand said it was "devastated by the images & reports coming from the Middle East," announcing plans to donate to the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies—Magen David Adom in Israel and Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza and the West Bank.

The post received more than 268,000 likes, but some users said the statement was a ploy to avoid a boycott.