Canadian singer Shawn Mendes has posted a “Free Palestine” statement on Instagram about Gaza, calling for an end to the violence and urging fellow artists to use their voices.
“There is a genocide happening before our eyes,” Mendes wrote. “The senseless killing in Gaza must stop. The children and families in Palestine have suffered for far too long, and they need our help.”
Mendes said that he has been educating himself and asked his followers to do the same. “I’ve been working on educating myself and learning as much as I can to understand where and how I can make a difference, and I am asking you to do the same,” he wrote. He listed organizations he has donated to, including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Watermelon Pictures.
He also spoke directly to other artists. “My friends and fellow artists, I know it can feel scary to speak up; I feel it now as I type this,” he wrote. “I also feel the need to do something to help. The more of us that use our voice, the closer we are to change.”
Mendes ended with a call to action. “Let’s normalize speaking up and standing up for those suffering from oppression,” he wrote.
Mendes first spoke about Gaza in August 2025, when he told a Lisbon concert audience he regretted not speaking sooner.
More and more global stars are speaking up against the genocide in Gaza. In September, Macklemore left Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour after he made pro-Palestine comments at a show at MetLife Stadium. According to Rolling Stone, the tour’s US promoter said venues would not allow shows to go ahead with him in the lineup.
Macklemore alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pushed stadium owners to take that position.
Macklemore then announced a benefit tour for groups supporting Palestinians. He opened it on October 26 in Dublin and played shows in London and Paris. He recently said nine major US arenas declined to host the tour.
Other artists have also weighed in. Lorde wore a handmade pro-Palestinian jacket at Austin City Limits on October 3. Days earlier, Zach Bryan wore a pro-Palestinian shirt at Gillette Stadium.
Lewis Hamilton also made headlines this week. The Formula One champion visited Egypt’s Rafah border crossing on November 10 and met aid workers preparing supplies for Gaza. He then took to Instagram, urging Israel to let aid into the territory.
