Celebrity Letters Reveal Divide on Israel-Gaza Conflict

(AP)

By    |   Monday, 23 October 2023 09:42 AM EDT ET

Two different celebrity group letters not only expose a rift in the entertainment community on whether to support Israel or the Palestinians and Hamas in the current deadly Middle East conflict, but also reflect the divide among people throughout the United States and the world.

The Creative Community for Peace organization released its letter Oct. 12, signed by more than 700 entertainment industry leaders calling for the condemnation of the terrorist group Hamas for its attacks on Israel Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,300 Israelis and others and offering support to the Jewish State.

"The nightmare that Israelis have feared for decades became a reality as Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli cities and towns," the group's letter said. "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."

Signatories of that letter included Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Amy Schumer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jerry Seinfeld, Mark Hamill, Mayim Bialik, Andy Garcia, and Howie Mendel.

"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," the letter continued. "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."

A different letter to President Joe Biden on Oct. 21 by the Artists4Ceasefire, which was signed by celebrities including Alyssa Milano, Cate Blanchett, Channing Tatum, Joaquin Phoenix, John Stewart, and Michael Moore, asked for a ceasefire in the region after Israel's response.

"We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost," that letter said. "More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians."

The two letters highlight the different perceptions in the nation and around the world regarding the conflict.

A Quinnipiac University poll released last week shows a divide among Americans on support for Biden's handling of the conflict in Israel, with 42% approving his actions and 37% disapproving.

Democrats overwhelmingly approve his performance on the issue, 67% to 16%, and Republicans disapprove by almost the same margin, 60% to 24%. Independents meanwhile, are almost evenly split, with slightly more approving than disapproving, 38% to 34%.

The conflict sparked protests on both sides of the issue around the world, many supporting Palestinians, and others strongly supporting Israel in the wake of the attacks.

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TheWire
Two different celebrity group letters not only expose a rift in the entertainment community on whether to support Israel or the Palestinians and Hamas in the current deadly Middle East conflict, but also reflect the divide among people throughout the United States and the world.
israel, hamas, attacks, joe biden, war, terrorism, celebrities, letters, ceasefire, gaza, conflict
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Monday, 23 October 2023 09:42 AM
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