Shawn Mendes Speaks Out on Gaza, Urges Artists to Join Him: ‘There Is a Genocide Happening Before Our Eyes’

Shawn Mendes has spoken out for the first time on the situation in Gaza.

The pop singer shared a statement on his Instagram on Thursday (Nov. 12), opening with: “FREE PALESTINE.”

“There is a genocide happening before our eyes,” he 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.”

The musician went on to explain that he’s been “working on educating myself and learning as much as I can to understand where and how I can make a difference,” noting that he encourages everyone to contribute to organizations such as the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Watermelon Pictures and the Woven Futures Fund. He addressed his “fellow artists” and acknowledged how “scary” it can be “to speak up.”

“I feel it now as I type this,” he added. “I also feel the need to do something to help. The more of us that use our voice, the closer we are to change. If you agree please search your heart, find your courage and do what you can to help. These children in Palestine have had to be brave for too long. It’s our turn to do the same now.”

The Billboard Hot 100-topping musician concluded, “Let’s normalize speaking up and standing up for those suffering from oppression.”

Mendes joins the ever-expanding group of stars who have voiced support for Palestinians. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry via the Associated Press, more than 74,000 have died in Israel’s war efforts against Hamas in the three years since the terrorist group attacked and killed approximately 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. A ceasefire was brokered in October 2025, but Reuters reported Thursday that Israel has continued its attacks on Hamas, which has yet to be disarmed, killing an additional 1,600 Palestinians.

The United Nations has classified Israel’s actions as a genocide against Palestinians, but Israel — and its allies, including the United States — have denied this. Celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo and Dua Lipa have continued to amplify calls to end the killings of Palestinians in Gaza, while Macklemore recently logged three arena dates on his Free Palestine Tour featuring guest artists such as Hozier and Kneecap.