ExplainerWhat is the celebrity ‘blockout’ over the Israel-Gaza war?
- Celebrities in the United States and beyond are facing a digital backlash over their public silence on Gaza
- Israel’s military has killed more than 35,000 in Gaza since the war erupted October 7 with the Hamas attacks
Some social media users are calling out celebrities for what they say is inaction in the face of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza – and they’ve taken to a “blockout” to pressure the stars to take a stand.
For the blockout, users put a block on seeing any and all content from the accounts of certain celebrities on social media platforms including X, TikTok and Instagram.
Some have posted about the celebrities they’ve blocked, using a hashtag such as #blockout, #blockout2024, or #celebrityblockout, while others have shared posts from users lambasting attendees of high-glamour events like the Met Gala and contrasting it with the situation in Gaza.
Blockout participants say it’s a protest because the celebrities either haven’t spoken up or haven’t said enough against Israel’s actions in Gaza during its war with Hamas.
How does the blockout work?
On social media platforms, users see content from people they follow, as well as from those chosen for them by algorithms. In both instances, users can select options to mute or block a person or account.