‘Stop the lies before more Jews die’ – Hollywood celebrities fight back

In recent weeks, several petitions by celebrities in Hollywood and the British entertainment industry have condemned the war in Gaza.

By Gila Isaacson, JFeed

Over 400 prominent figures in Hollywood, including actors, writers, and producers, have signed an open letter denouncing the “toxic incitement” of the anti-Israel movement, warning that propaganda spread by celebrities is fueling a surge in deadly antisemitic violence.

The letter, released on May 30 by the Creative Community for Peace, was spurred by a deadly attack last week in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli embassy workers, Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lishinsky, were killed.

Signatories include high-profile names such as Israeli-American producer Haim Saban, Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Jerry O’Connell (Sliders), Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black), Dean Cain (Lois & Clark), and Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren.

“Hamas, Iran, and their allies have flooded the Western world with lies, hatred, and antisemitic incitement since October 7,” the letter states.

“These lies are designed to demonize Israel, the Jewish people, and their supporters.” The signatories condemned public statements by celebrities opposing the war in Gaza, adding that “well-intentioned celebrities and public figures have been manipulated by a relentless stream of misinformation, which they have helped amplify.”

“We call on all our colleagues to denounce this extreme rhetoric and the spread of false information so that we can all work toward a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and dignity,” the signatories wrote.

“Given the power of social media, entertainers and public figures, with their ability to influence millions worldwide, have a responsibility to use their platforms responsibly. Without significant change, we will only see more hatred, more violence, and more innocent people attacked simply for being Jewish.”

In recent weeks, several petitions by celebrities in Hollywood and the British entertainment industry have condemned the war in Gaza.

Yesterday, the refugee aid organization Choose Love published a letter calling on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to halt arms supplies to Israel.

The letter was signed by over 300 public and cultural figures in the UK, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch, former footballer Gary Lineker, and singers Annie Lennox and Dua Lipa.

Earlier this month, over 380 cultural figures signed an op-ed condemning “the silence of the cultural world in the face of the genocide in Gaza.”

Published on the French website Libération ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, the piece was signed by figures including Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Ralph Fiennes, Cynthia Nixon, Javier Bardem, and directors Pedro Almodóvar and Nadav Lapid.