More than 700 celebrities and entertainment industry professionals have signed an open letter to show their support for Israel and denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Letter and Its Signatories
The open letter was released on Thursday by Creative Community For Peace, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote dialogue and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians through the power of music and the arts.
The letter calls on the leaders of the entertainment industry to “speak out forcefully against Hamas and do whatever is in their power to urge the terrorist organization to return the innocent hostages to their families.”
The letter also states that “this is terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions.”
Some of the prominent names who signed the letter include Gal Gadot, Amy Schumer, Mayim Bialik, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Pine, Liev Schreiber, Debra Messing, Mark Hamill, and many more.
The Situation in the Middle East
The letter comes as the violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate in the region. Israel has reported at least 1,200 people killed and thousands more injured in Hamas’ attacks over the weekend. Hamas is also holding as many as 150 people hostage in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
On the other hand, at least 1,417 Palestinians, including 447 children and 248 women, have been killed since Israel started strikes on Gaza following the deadly Hamas attack last Saturday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. An additional 6,268 people have been injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry added.
The international community has been calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict. However, both sides have rejected several proposals and have vowed to continue fighting until their demands are met.
The Response from the Entertainment Industry
The open letter from the entertainment industry is one of the rare instances of public support for Israel from Hollywood stars. Many celebrities have been criticized for either staying silent or expressing sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
The letter acknowledges that “our thoughts are with all those experiencing unfathomable levels of fear and violence” and hopes for “the day when Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.”
The letter also warns public figures in the entertainment industry to “refrain from sharing misinformation about the war” and to avoid amplifying any “propaganda.”