Hollywood stars are showing their support for Israel, after Hamas launched a surprise attack this past weekend, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza that have killed at least 900 people with more than 100 civilians kidnapped and held hostage.
The attack, which occurred early Saturday morning on Shabbat and coincided with the Jewish high holiday of Simchat Torah, is being called “Israel’s 9/11” and is the deadliest day in Israel in 50 years. Hamas’ attack included a massacre at a music festival where Israeli rescuers say they have found 260 bodies.
Not since the Holocaust have this many Jews been murdered in one single day. Nine American citizens are among the climbing death toll.
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Over the weekend, President Joe Biden condemned the terrorist attack and supported Israel’s right to defend itself. “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. Terrorism is never justified,” the president said in a statement. “My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
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Israel ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza on Monday, cutting off all electricity, food and water to the area. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel airstrikes, in response to the Hamas attack.
Now, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are speaking up to lend their support to Israel. Gal Gadot, Madonna, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Natalie Portman, Andy Cohen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Debra Messing, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Kris Jenner, Mindy Kaling and Meghan McCain are among the celebrities who have taken to social media to stand alongside Israel.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to help children in Israel and Gaza, sources tell Variety.
“I stand with Israel you should too,” Gadot posted. “The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!” The “Wonder Woman” star, who is Israeli, has been posting daily about Israel being under attack. She has been posting photos of the hostages taken by Hamas, in an effort to help bring them home.
On Sunday evening, U2 changed lyrics during a performance in Las Vegas to honor those murdered in Israel. “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence,” the band posted. “But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”
Bruno Mars cancelled a show in Tel Aviv, Israel, that was planned for Saturday evening, after he had put on one show earlier in the week. The show cancellation was announced by concert organizer Live Nation. Bruno Mars has not made any statement regarding Hamas’ attack in Israel.
Natalie Portman, who is Jewish, posted: “My heart is shattered for the people of Israel. Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes. I am in horror at these barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected.”
The Rock — who with 392 million Instagram followers is the fifth most followed individual on the platform in the world — posted a statement to condemn Hamas terrorists, and support Jewish people. Johnson is the most influential public figure to release such a statement.
“I’m heartbroken, angry, and sickened by the brutal murders and kidnapping of Jewish people through the horrific acts of the Hamas terrorist group,” Johnson wrote. “The growing loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives is heart wrenching as this war escalates to immense proportions.”
Madonna posted a video on her Instagram showing footage of rockets and slain bodies on the streets of Israel. She posted a lengthy statement, writing, in part: “Watching all of these families and especially children being herded, assaulted and murdered in the streets is Heartbreaking. Imagine if this was happening to you??” She continued, “My heart goes out to Israel. To Families and Homes that have been destroyed. To children who are lost. To Innocent Victims who have Been Killed. To All who are Suffering or who will suffer from this conflict. Im Praying For you. I am aware that this is the work of Hamas and there are many innocent people in Palestine who do not support this terrorist organization. This Tragic attack will only cause more suffering for everyone.”
Josh Gad, who comes from a family of Holocaust survivors, posted: “I have no words. I am praying for my many family members in Israel. What a cowardly act. What we are witnessing in real time right now is unprecedented since the Yom Kippur war. My heart breaks for the families of those who have lost loved ones, and for the hostages who have been taken. What a horrific day.”
Selma Blair, who is Jewish, commented on social media to offer her unwavering support to Israel and Jews around the world. “A warning to the American people, as this evil has happened on Israeli soil, so too is it already among us. We will be vilified for doing what we know is right,” Blair wrote. “The Jews have never been safe. And I am asking for every ally to realize what this again means for Jews everywhere. If Israel is not protected, we will know a very brutal reality. Israel. My spirit home. I stand with you.”
Late-night host Seth Meyers posted, “My wife’s family survived the Holocaust. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about how much less I would have in my life today had they not. The trauma that events like these have on the families of survivors is palpable. Fortunately my Jewish children are too young to fully understand the horrors that have been inflicted on the Israeli people. But one day soon will we have to try and explain it. I won’t know where to begin.”
B.J. Novak, who is also Jewish, wrote on his Instagram stories: “My heart will always be broken by the unspeakable horrors committed against the people of Israel. I pray for a future without hate, without horror, without Hamas. I stand with Israel.”
Both the NBA and MLB have showed strong signs of support, posting statements from the leagues’ official accounts to condemn terrorism and mourn the loss of lives in Israel.
Former New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire — who converted to Judaism and is an Israeli-American citizen — posted a video on Instagram to denounce those are staying silent amid Hamas’ attacks on Jews.
“I woke up, man, this morning with some disturbing news out of Israel — that Hamas kidnapping children, putting them in cages, killing women, killing the elderly. That’s some coward shit. That’s cowardly,” Stoudemire said. “All you politicians who have something to say on the contrary, I see you. Fuck you. All you Black Lives Matter people who always have something to say and always supported everything else and you quiet now, fuck you too.” (Later, Stoudemire posted again, writing, “I recognize that in a moment of passion that there is a better way that I can communicate my emotions about the conflict. I pray that all involved are able to find a resolution.”)
The major talent agencies in Hollywood — UTA, CAA and WME — have all taken public stances to stand with Israel and to support Jews.
WME said it will match employee donations to organizations funding relief in Israel and Palestine.
The Royals have also lent their support to Israel.
Britain’s King Charles condemned the “barbaric acts of terrorism,” via a spokesperson from Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson for Prince William and Kate Middleton commented: “The Prince and Princess of Wales are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days. The horrors inflicted by Hamas’ terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling; they utterly condemn them. Al Israel exercises its right of self defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry put out a statement through their Archewell Foundation where they said they are helping relief organizations. “At The Archewell Foundation, with Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality. We are supporting our partners and organizations on the frontlines in Israel to provide the urgent aid needed, and to help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering.”
Over the weekend, Kylie Jenner had shared a photo from the pro-Israel account, Stand With Us. The image featured the Israeli flag and said, “Now and always, we stand with the people is Israel!” After her Instagram was flooded with pro-Palestine commenters, Jenner — who has nearly 400 million Instagram followers — deleted the post. Jenner has not commented on deleting her post, and a representative for Jenner declined to comment.
Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian, however, posted a statement on their Instagram stories condemning the attacks in Israel. “Hamas is a terrorist organization that is attacked civilians by land, air, and sea. The images of kidnapped Israelis are shocking and devastation,” the statement says, in part, also referencing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but gearing attention towards condemning terror attacks and anti-Semitism. “Given the thousands of years of persecution of Jews, please know that your Jewish friends — even if they are not in Israel — are hurting and are fearful when things like this happen and non-Jews are silent.”
Kim Kardashian posted statements on her Instagram story on Tuesday, spreading messages of peace and praying for both Israelis and Palestinians. Kardashian — who was formerly married to Kanye West — did not specifically condemn anti-Semitism or speak of Jews being targeted by Hamas. “I take the side of humanity. No one should suffer at the hands of terrorist,” one of the messages read that Kardashian posted. “This conflict has gone on too long, we’ve been too complacent in letting evil be in charge. This will have a huge ripple effect throughout the world. I call for peace. I call for love.”
On Wednesday, Kardashian posted a lengthier message to her Instagram: “A message to my Jewish friends and family. I love you. I support you. I have heard about how scared you feel during this time, and I want you to know you are not alone in this,” Kardashian wrote, also commenting on her activism with spreading awareness around the Armenian Genocide.
“My heart is broken seeing the videos of these babies and families being terrorized and murdered in front of the whole world,” Kardashian’s post said. “As human beings with a heart, how can anyone not be devastated by these horrible images that we will never be able to unsee? Brutal terrorism has taken innocent lives and now both Israeli and Palestinian civilians are suffering and paying the greatest price there is.”
Scroll below to see more Hollywood reactions to the developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict…
Wilmer Valderrama:
Chrissy Teigen:
Sacha Baron Cohen:
Victoria Beckham:
Tom Brady:
Joey King:
Ramy Youssef:
LeBron James:
Bethenny Frankel:
Jenna Dewan:
Ariana DeBose:
J.K. Rowling:
We said ‘never again.’ The UK was a safe haven. Now, after the biggest massacre of Jews since the holocaust, British Jewish children are being advised to hide their identities as they walk to school, for their own safety. There should be mass outrage that this is necessary. pic.twitter.com/T8J4B6MSGe
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 12, 2023Noah Schnapp:
Barbra Streisand:
Reese Witherspoon:
Viola Davis:
Gigi Hadid:
Jerry Seinfeld:
Scooter Braun:
Ellen DeGeneres:
Amar’e Stoudemire
Jessica Seinfeld:
Mike Bloomberg:
Andrew Rannells:
Jamie Lee Curtis:
Andy Cohen:
Meghan McCain:
Once again my family and I stand with Israel and the Jewish people – yesterday, today, tomorrow – always. Our hearts are completely broken. God may have mercy on the terrorists souls but I assure you, America will not. There is no path but Zionism. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VXmvf84y9D
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) October 9, 2023Debra Messing:
Amy Schumer:
Sarah Silverman:
My sister and nieces and nephews are there. They’ve been protesting BIBI for months. Fight for a two state solution. Israelis are Jews and Arabs and all colors. There is so much complexity to this. But make NO MISTAKE Hamas is a terror organization who’s mission statement is kill… https://t.co/RzfeXk13Vr
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) October 7, 2023Major League Baseball:
Mark Hamill:
America stands with Israel ✊#ALWAYS pic.twitter.com/kM3e9S125s
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) October 8, 2023Michael Rapaport:
Lynda Carter:
Iliza Shlesinger:
Guy Oseary:
Editor’s note: This story will continue to be updated with more celebrity reactions.
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