Hollywood stars release open letter condemning Hamas amid Israeli conflict

Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
AP Photo/Yousef Masoud
Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Hundreds of actors and Hollywood executives — including Michael Douglas, Amy Schumer, Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jerry Seinfeld — are adding their signatures to an open letter condemning Hamas for “barbaric acts of terrorism” in Israel they say “must be called out by everyone.”

More than 700 people signed the letter released Thursday by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace.

“The nightmare that Israelis have feared for decades became a reality as Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli cities and towns,” the message stated.

“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,” the letter said.

More than 1,000 Israelis have died since Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, launched its attacks Saturday. And more than 1,000 Palestinians have died in the ensuing fighting in Gaza.

“This is terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions,” the letter said.

“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.”

Urging other entertainment industry figures to “speak out forcefully against Hamas” the letter said to be weary of “propaganda” that might proliferate on social media in “the coming days and weeks.”

“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,” the letter said.

Some of the other celebrities who signed the letter include: Mark Hamill, Liev Schreiber, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, director Antoine Fuqua, Howie Mandel, George Lopez, Jeremy Piven, Andy Garcia, Mayim Bialik, Ziggy Marley, Jenji Kohan and Bella Thorne.

Tags Amy Schumer Gal Gadot Jamie Lee Curtis Jerry Seinfeld

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Most Popular

Load more