Pop star Olivia Rodrigo chooses a side (and it's not Israel's)
It's fine to have opinions, just not when you a massive fan base (and your opinions are twisted and dangerous).
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Today, pop star Olivia Rodrigo, known for her chart-topping hits and outspoken activism, entered the contentious Israel-Palestine debate with an Instagram story addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The 22-year-old singer’s post, which included a Palestinian flag and a call to donate to UNICEF, reached her 40 million followers, sparking widespread reactions on social media.
Rodrigo’s post expressed deep sorrow over Gaza’s worsening conditions, where ongoing fighting has led to severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, according to UNICEF reports. “There are no words for the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine,” she wrote. “Mothers, fathers, and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated, and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid. There is no child in Israel, Palestine, or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we’re seeing these children have to endure. It is horrific and completely unacceptable.” She announced a personal donation to UNICEF’s emergency fund for Gaza and linked to the organization’s donation page, urging fans to contribute if able.
Rodrigo’s post ignited a firestorm on X, amassing 11,000 likes and 2,200 comments by Sunday evening. Supporters praised her empathy, with one user writing, “Olivia’s using her massive platform to shine a light on Gaza’s suffering—she’s the real deal.” Fans highlighted her consistent advocacy, from reproductive rights to racial justice, as evidence of her commitment. “She’s been speaking out since Black Lives Matter. This tracks,” another posted.
Critics, however, faulted her for selective focus. “It’s been 18 months since Hamas’s massacre, and she doesn’t mention the 1,200 Israelis killed or the rapes and burnings,” one X user wrote.
Rodrigo has built a reputation as a socially engaged artist. Since her 2021 debut, she has championed women’s reproductive rights, condemning the 2022 *Roe v. Wade* overturn during concerts, and partnered with HeadCount to boost youth voter turnout. In 2021, she visited the White House to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, and during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, she amplified calls for justice. In 2025, she spearheaded the #NoKings campaign, critiquing institutional power. Her Gaza post aligns with this trajectory but enters a uniquely divisive issue, where public figures face intense scrutiny.