By Mallory Mattingly
Over 1,200 Hollywood creatives signaled their support of Israel, signing an open letter to denounce a boycott of the Israeli film institutions due to the war in Gaza.
“We know the power of film. We know the power of story. That is why we cannot stay silent when a story is turned into a weapon, when lies are dressed up as justice, and when artists are misled into amplifying antisemitic propaganda,” the letter reads. “The pledge circulated under the banner of Film Workers for Palestine is not an act of conscience. It is a document of misinformation that advocates for arbitrary censorship and the erasure of art. To censor the very voices trying to find common ground and express their humanity, is wrong, ineffective and a form of collective punishment.”
Some of the signers include Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, Gene Simmons, Debra Messing, Sharon Osbourne, Greg Berlanti, Jerry O’Connell, Howie Mandel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lisa Edelstein, Erin Foster, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay, Sherry Lansing, Shari Redstone and Haim Saban.
The letter was created by the non-profit organization Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) and The Brigade.
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“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed how storytelling can be an incredible tool to build understanding around our shared humanity,” Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Entertainment, said of the letter. “Excluding Israeli filmmakers because of their identity betrays that mission and undermines efforts for peace. True progress comes when we listen to one another, Israelis and Palestinians alike, and allow art to open doors that politics too often close.”
According to Variety, the letter came in response to a Sept. 8 boycott pledge called “Film Workers for Palestine.” In it, signees like Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix said they “would refuse to work with Israeli institutions and companies that are ‘implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.'”
The artists behind the new open letter in favor of Israeli projects says the boycott is problematic.
“When artists boycott fellow artists based solely on their country of origin, it is blatant discrimination and a betrayal of our role as storytellers,” Messing said. “History shows us that boycotts against Jews have long been a tool of authoritarian regimes — by joining this effort, these artists are knowingly or unknowingly aligning themselves with a dark legacy of antisemitism.”
“Artists and creatives have a unique opportunity and responsibility to remind the world of our shared humanity. Boycotting filmmakers, studios, production companies, and individuals simply because they are Israeli fuels division and contributes to a disturbing culture of marginalization,” Bialik added. “Additionally, this boycott pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home, or help curb the alarming rise of antisemitism globally.”
The letter concluded with a strong call to action:
If you want peace, call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages. Support filmmakers who create dialogue across communities. Stand against Hamas.
Let art speak the whole truth.
We call on all our colleagues in the entertainment industry to reject this discriminatory and antisemitic boycott call that only adds another roadblock on the path to peace.
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