In a strong sign of support of Israel from Hollywood, more than 700 figures from the entertainment industry have signed an open letter to condemn Hamas and demand the safe return of hostages being held in Gaza.
The letter is the first major move from the entertainment industry, as Israel has been under attack.
Released by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, the letter has been signed by celebrities and Hollywood leaders including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, Haim Saban, Irving Azoff, Ynon Kreiz, Mark Hamill, Howie Mandel, Bella Thorne, Antoine Fuqua and more.
The open letter calls on the entertainment community at large to speak out forcefully against Hamas, to support Israel, to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war and to do whatever is in their power to urge Hamas terrorists to return hostages back to their families.
The letter comes as Israel has been under attack. On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise ambush, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza, brutally killing civilians in their homes and committing a massacre at a music festival for peace where 260 bodies were found. At least 1,200 people have died in Israel, and more than 100 civilians have been kidnapped and held hostage. Not since the Holocaust have this many Jews died in one single day. President Joe Biden has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has expressed unwavering support for Israel as it now retaliates in Gaza where at least 1,100 people have died.
Creative Community for Peace notes that “in addition to the 1,200+ Israelis murdered, citizens from the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Thailand, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, Cambodia, Germany, Philippines, Chile, Brazil, Italy, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Ireland have been identified as either missing or killed.”
In a statement, Gadot said, “My heart is aching for the lives lost and families shattered. I’m praying for everyone who has been affected by Hamas’ terrorism and brutality. And I hope that the world remains steadfast in their support of the Israeli people.”
Saban said, “In the aftermath of the barbaric killing of more than 1,200 Israelis, we in the Hollywood community and around the world must stand with Israel as it defends itself against a terrorist regime in Gaza that seeks Israel’s destruction.”
Notable signatories include Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett, Aaron Bay-Schuck, Jody Gerson, Ziggy Marley, Jenji Kohan, Zachary Levi, Jim Berkus, Andy Garcia, Tracey-Ann Oberman, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Howie Mandel, Eli Roth, Ryan Kavanaugh, Phil Rosenthal, George Lopez, Mekhi Phifer, Jason Alexander, Fred Savage, Ynon Kreiz, Dana Goldberg, Gail Berman, Steve Schnur, Sherry Lansing, Rick Rosen, Josh Greenstein, Rick Yorn, Kevin Yorn, Ben Silverman; Nina Tassler, Jeremy Piven, John Peck, Daniel Glass, Noa Tishby, Marty Singer, Chuck Liddell, Diane Warren and more. (Click here for the full list of signatories.)
In a separate letter published on Thursday by the National Council of Jewish Women, more celebrities voiced their support for Israel and demanded the immediate return of hostages from Hamas. Those signatories include Gadot, Messing, Schumer, Montana Tucker and Mandy Moore. “We urge all governments, international organizations and civil society groups to condemn these crimes and take action to help secure the release of hostages,” the letter states. “We urge the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others, to do everything within their power to get much-needed aid to hostages.”
Read below for the full open letter from the Creative Community for Peace:
The nightmare that Israelis have feared for decades became a reality as Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli cities and towns.
Under the cover of thousands of rockets fired indiscriminately into civilian populations, Hamas murdered and kidnapped innocent men, women, and children. They kidnapped and murdered infants and the elderly. They raped women and mutilated their bodies. They paraded their bodies through the streets and on social media, and cowardly attacked the Supernova Music Festival – bringing death and destruction to an event celebrating friendship and love.
This is terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions. These are barbaric acts of terrorism that must be called out by everyone. They are a terrorist organization whose leaders call for the murder of Jews everywhere.
CCFP calls on our friends and colleagues in 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.
As Israel takes the necessary steps to defend its citizens in the coming days and weeks, social media will be overrun by an orchestrated misinformation campaign spearheaded by Iran. We urge everyone to remember the horrific images that came out of Israel and to not amplify or fall for their propaganda.
Our thoughts are with all those experiencing unfathomable levels of fear and violence, and we hope for the day when Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.
