Santiago:British singer Zayn Malik has addressed criticism following remarks he made at a concert in Chile by reposting a pro-Palestine message originally shared in 2014.

The former One Direction member posted a screenshot Sunday of his July 28, 2014, message reading '#FreePalestine' to his Instagram Stories.

According to Anadolu Agency, during an October 2 performance in Santiago as part of his KONNAKOL Tour, Malik commented on political conflicts and the media's coverage, emphasizing the value of all human lives and declaring, "Free us all." This led to mixed interpretations among social media users, with some seeing it as a humanitarian stance, while others criticized the lack of a direct reference to Palestine.

Malik responded to the criticism by reposting a screenshot of his 2014 message, rejecting claims that his stance on Palestinian rights is unclear. His original post, made during Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, was met with significant backlash, including death threats, yet Malik chose not to delete it.

In May 2021, he reiterated his support for Palestinians, emphasizing the protection of their human rights and drawing attention to the plight of Palestinian children affected by the conflict. He expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and their resistance against colonization, ending with a call for a free Palestine.

The debate over Malik's concert remarks takes place amid broader scrutiny of artists' public statements on Palestine. Rapper Macklemore faced professional repercussions after voicing support for Palestinians during performances, leading to his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour. This incident highlights the potential consequences for musicians advocating on such contentious issues.

Malik's recent actions indicate a reaffirmation of his long-standing position rather than a detailed clarification of his Santiago remarks.