With the growing conflict between Israel and Palestine, many people are turning to social media to voice their opinions, frustrations, prayers, and calls for peace. Most celebrities are keeping silent on the issue to avoid a PR nightmare by choosing sides. However, there are a few outspoken ones who have openly discussed the issue online. Some of them are simply calling for peace in general while others have chosen sides. Eddie Vedder, Rihanna, and more weigh in on the issue.
Swizz Beats
The Grammy Award-winning producer and husband of Alicia Keys took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the conflict.
"#freepalestine I don't care what's the problem you don't just kill lil kids like that. I pray for peace ASAP!!!!" he wrote.
After facing some backlash for his comments, he returned he posted another tweet saying, "I pray for peace on the entire world. This is not a political stance it's a human stance!"
Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame also took to Twitter, and posted his support for Palestine in no uncertain terms.
"Damn how the FUCK MY COUNTRY ALLOW #PALESTINE SUFFERING... . PLEASE FATHER GOD GIVE THAT COUNTRY STRENGTH."
The "No Hands" rapper faced some criticism for his remarks and addressed them on Twitter.
"I'm getting texts saying don't choose sides on social media. #IChosePeace #HelpTheHelpless #WrongIsWrong #Right IsRight stop letting these children suffer."
Rihanna
Rihanna's tweet has become the most publicized of all. As previously reported, the "Diamonds" singer tweeted and deleted #Free Palestine, calling the post an "accident." She later took to Twitter to post a photo of an two children from both sides of the conflict standing arm in arm with the caption "Let's pray for peace and a swift end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict! Is there any hope? ...."
Roger Waters
The Pink Floyd co-founder has been vocal about his support for Palestine even before the conflict had escalated. He took to Facebook to post an open letter he wrote to Neil Young, urging him to cancel his show in Tel Aviv. "We stand with those people and with all the brave people of Israel and Palestine, Jewish and Arab alike who oppose The Israeli Governments brutal policies ... Please join me and countless other artists all over the world in solidarity with the oppressed and the disenfranchised," he wrote. "It is time to heed the peoples call."
Matisyahu
The Jewish reggae rapper addressed his support for people on both sides of the conflict and called for peace on Twitter.
"The brotherly love of Esau and Yaakov, of Itzchak and Ishmael, will rise above all the disturbances," he wrote, later adding, "A Prayer for my Sisters and Brothers in Israel, cousins and innocents on all sides."
Eddie Vedder
Although he did not explicitly call out either sides of the conflict, the Pearl Jam frontman voiced his opinion during an anti-war rant at his show in England last week and later reaffirmed those statements on his website.
"I swear to f**king God, there are people out there who are looking for a reason to kill! Everyone's the f**kin' same! So why are people at war? Stop the f**king sh*t, now! Now! Now! We don't want to give them our money. We don't want to give them our taxes to drop bombs on children! Now! No more! Now!" he said.
He later wrote online, "I'd rather be naïve, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution."
There will surely be more artists voicing their opinions as the conflict continues. Let us know who we've missed in the comments section below!
