Selena Gomez ♥ Gaza
The pop singer and actress urges prayers for ‘those families and babies’ on social media
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Pop singer Selena Gomez became the latest celebrity to wade into the Gaza conflict on social media Saturday, expressing support for the Strip on Instagram.
Gomez, a practicing Christian, posted a “Pray for Gaza” message on Saturday, drawing both fire and support.
“Please pray for those families and babies today. Please always remember what’s important in life. It’s not any of this. We are here to help, inspire and love. Be that change #wearethenextgeneration” wrote Gomez.
The Instagram post – which she also tweeted and which has reached more than 575,000 likes – immediately sparked a social media uproar as fans of the superstar took sides, either defending her statement or urging her to pray for Israel.
Gomez has 21.5 million followers on Twitter.
An Israeli fan (gil_magen) condemned the post, commenting: “You haven’t heard rockets that have been launched to Israel from Gaza before the war, because you don’t live in Israel!”
Gomez later tweeted: “And of course to be clear, I am not picking any sides. I am praying for peace and humanity for all!”
And of course to be clear, I am not picking any sides. I am praying for peace and humanity for all! http://t.co/zvrhGRtejy
— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) July 19, 2014
Last week, Rihanna also tweeted support for Gaza and subsequently deleted her post. Several other celebrities, including producer Swizz Beatz and rapper Waka Flocka Flame, have expressed their support of Gaza through social media.
Gomez, who is a former Disney superstar, was rumored to be holding a concert in Israel back in 2013, but reports were never confirmed. She recently completed a world tour, and is the lead voice in an upcoming Sony animated 3D film, “Hotel Transylvania 2.”
The Times of Israel Community.