Fans of the global pop star are urging each other to showcase pro-Palestinian flags, posters, and friendship bracelets at the Eras Tour.
In anticipation of Taylor Swift’s performance in Madrid as part of her global Eras Tour, some fans were focused on more than just the music.
Prior to the Wednesday concert, the hashtag #SwiftiesForPalestine dominated X’s top trends, surpassing the hashtag for the evening’s show. Many posts urged concert-goers to bring signs or fly Palestinian flags in hopes of catching Swift’s attention and urging her to speak out.
The hashtag continued to gain momentum into Thursday morning, with over 133,000 posts on X’s trending page, largely from dedicated fan accounts that have supported Swift for years.
This sentiment reflects a growing trend among celebrities, particularly Swift, whose large and vocal fan base can wield significant political influence when mobilized. Recent activism has intensified amid Israel’s military actions in Rafah and a recent airstrike that devastated a refugee camp, with graphic images circulating online. The Israel Defense Forces stated they were targeting Hamas militants and that the tents were not in the immediate vicinity.
Sarah Smits, a Swift fan from Belgium with a large online following, expressed the desire for Swift’s support amidst the growing awareness of the situation in Rafah.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for over six months, with Israel continuing its efforts to free approximately 125 hostages believed to be held in Gaza. Despite her prominence, Taylor Swift has remained silent on the issue, despite occasionally commenting on U.S. politics. This has led to frustration among some fans, who are calling on her to speak out, while others worry that taking a stance could jeopardize her safety during her international tour.
Fans, like Smits, are planning to bring pro-Palestinian symbols to her concerts, highlighting the potential impact of Swift’s voice. This push coincides with a social media movement focusing on Israel’s actions in Rafah. Viral content, such as an AI-generated image of refugee tents spelling “All Eyes on Rafah,” has circulated, drawing attention from Swift’s collaborators Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner.
Additionally, Paramore, the band opening for Swift in Europe, recently spotlighted humanitarian organizations aiding Gaza. The movement also references Swift’s 2020 documentary, “Miss Americana,” where she expressed regret over not speaking out against Donald Trump during the 2016 election. Swift’s representative has not commented on the current situation.