Shawn Mendes breaks silence on Gaza, sparking mixed reactions

Canadian singer Shawn Mendes has spoken publicly about the war in Gaza for the first time, admitting he regrets not addressing the issue sooner.

Known for steering clear of political debates, the 26-year-old artist told fans he wished he had used his influence earlier to shed light on the humanitarian crisis.

His remarks, delivered during a concert in Portugal this week, marked his first direct acknowledgement of Gaza. Mendes expressed grief for Palestinians while also stressing the need to avoid fueling hatred toward Jewish communities.

"I'm sad that I haven't been able to talk about it earlier, but I felt like it was the right place to do this here tonight," Mendes told the audience. "What's been happening in Gaza has been absolutely breaking my heart, and turning pain and suffering into hatred towards Jewish people as a whole is wrong."

Read more: Shawn Mendes joins Muslim Friday prayers in New York

He continued, "Turning pain and suffering into hatred period is wrong and it's not the way. The future is truly in our hands, and I feel like it's our responsibility to stop these cycles of pain and to choose love. And I gotta be honest, I'm feeling like the future is in really good hands when I look around at these shows."

The speech has sparked a wave of debate. Supporters applauded Mendes for finally breaking his silence, while critics argued his words were vague and avoided naming the Israeli Occupation directly or acknowledging accusations of genocide. Many online described the statement as a polished PR move rather than an act of solidarity.

Here are some online reactions:

what's happening in Gaza has a name and it's called genocide. If you really wanna change the world for the better then start using your platform, you could have posted SO MUCH all these years instead of constant silence. this speech wasn't enough @ShawnMendes pic.twitter.com/Omvtyj0aCz

— raya - shawn mendes (@ShawnFansRaya) August 29, 2025

I was so happy reading "Shawn's speech about Palestine yesterday in Lisbon".
But then it's him, starting his speech with the words "What's been happening in Gaza has been absolutely brutal" as a little opener and going on about how we shouldn't turn this into hate towards Jews,… pic.twitter.com/dUD3vkqI8H

— Annika  (@annikalee218) August 29, 2025

I find it ironic why he didn't even mention the word "innocent Palestinian people  " when they are the one being massacred and murdered nonstop in Gaza by Zionist State of Israel with full support and backing from the U.S.

I'm very disappointed and I'm not going to defend him https://t.co/frmh3LZxx2

— Shawn Mendes Updates  (@ShawnNotified) August 29, 2025

ill be so real, i think shawns speech about gaza was extremely half assed ‘both sides’ bs. Turning pain and suffering into hatred for jewish people ?? What ??? Who is he referring to - the starving dying children in gaza ??

—  (@mendesswyr) August 28, 2025

as a fan that has been begging for two years i’m glad shawn is finally not silent on palestine, but a simple “what’s happening in gaza is heartbreaking” doesn’t even begin to cover the surface. as a privileged white man in pop culture there is so much more he could’ve said

— s (@305UGH) August 29, 2025

Not shawn mendes starting his speech about “what’s happening in gaza” just to 2 seconds later talking about hatred towards jews instead of talking about was is actually happening in gaza. So fucking lame man

— raquel (@1996laurmani) August 29, 2025

i think shawn's statement on genocide in gaza was way too long overdue to be this vague! he should've said way more... Free Palestine 

— sofi  is on the road again! (@starbyshawnmila) August 28, 2025

how are you gonna talk about palestine two years into a genocide and the best you got is "what's happening in gaza is heartbreaking" as someone with a platform AND a whole foundation for young people??? do better shawn

— h (@ruinsunflower) August 29, 2025