Stars including Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, and Debra Messing denounce a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions as censorship, misinformation, and antisemitism.
More than 1,200 entertainment industry figures have signed an open letter rejecting a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions over the Gaza war, calling the campaign “a document of misinformation” that weaponizes art against Jews.
The letter — organized by Creative Community for Peace and The Brigade — was released Thursday in response to a September 8 pledge circulated by “Film Workers for Palestine,” which had nearly 4,000 signatories including Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Colman, Ava DuVernay, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, and Javier Bardem.
Prominent names backing the counter-letter include Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne, Greg Berlanti, Jerry O’Connell, Howie Mandel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lisa Edelstein, Erin Foster, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay, Sherry Lansing, and Haim Saban.
“We know the power of film. We know the power of story,” the letter declares. “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 signatories condemn the boycott as censorship and collective punishment, warning that silencing Israeli artists undermines dialogue and fuels antisemitism.
Voices From Within Hollywood
- Debra Messing: “When artists boycott fellow artists based solely on their country of origin, it is blatant discrimination and a betrayal of our role as storytellers. 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.”
- Mayim Bialik: “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. This boycott pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home, or help curb the alarming rise of antisemitism globally.”
Even industry leaders have spoken out. On September 12, Paramount publicly rejected the boycott. Chief Communications Officer Melissa Zukerman stated:
“Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace. We need more engagement and communication — not less.”
The Bigger Picture
Supporters of the open letter argue that targeting Israel’s creative community has nothing to do with peace or justice and everything to do with resurrecting a dangerous precedent: boycotts against Jews in the cultural sphere.
Hollywood’s message is clear: Israeli voices in art and film will not be erased.More than 1,200 entertainment industry figures have signed an open letter rejecting a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions over the Gaza war, calling the campaign “a document of misinformation” that weaponizes art against Jews.
The letter — organized by Creative Community for Peace and The Brigade — was released Thursday in response to a September 8 pledge circulated by “Film Workers for Palestine,” which had nearly 4,000 signatories including Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Colman, Ava DuVernay, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, and Javier Bardem.
Prominent names backing the counter-letter include Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne, Greg Berlanti, Jerry O’Connell, Howie Mandel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lisa Edelstein, Erin Foster, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay, Sherry Lansing, and Haim Saban.
“We know the power of film. We know the power of story,” the letter declares. “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 signatories condemn the boycott as censorship and collective punishment, warning that silencing Israeli artists undermines dialogue and fuels antisemitism.
Voices From Within Hollywood
- Debra Messing: “When artists boycott fellow artists based solely on their country of origin, it is blatant discrimination and a betrayal of our role as storytellers. 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.”
- Mayim Bialik: “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. This boycott pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home, or help curb the alarming rise of antisemitism globally.”
Even industry leaders have spoken out. On September 12, Paramount publicly rejected the boycott. Chief Communications Officer Melissa Zukerman stated:
“Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace. We need more engagement and communication — not less.”
The Bigger Picture
Supporters of the open letter argue that targeting Israel’s creative community has nothing to do with peace or justice and everything to do with resurrecting a dangerous precedent: boycotts against Jews in the cultural sphere.
Hollywood’s message is clear: Israeli voices in art and film will not be erased.
