The Israeli war on Gaza caused a sharp division in Hollywood, which has always been famous for the unity of its speech in the political field, and the ability of its stars and senior workers to express the vast majority of its members in various professions.
The division has reached the point of expelling “those who disagree” from work, and boycotting those who express a position against the Israeli bombing of Gaza, at a time when supporters of Israel are also subjected to harsh criticism, especially from the public on social media.
Hollywood demonstrated its unity during the years of former US President Donald Trump’s rule, which was often ridiculed and sometimes seriously, but the changes that have occurred over the past weeks have confirmed that the scene has changed radically, according to the British newspaper The Times.
Condemnation of massacres and punishment
The exclusion of Mexican actress Melissa Barrera from starring in the movie “Scream7” last Tuesday was not the first of its kind in terms of punishing those who declared their solidarity with Gaza. She was preceded by Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, who was excluded by the agency “AUT.” » -The most prominent business management agency in the capital of world cinema-, and the contract with it was canceled due to its position in support of the Palestinian people.
According to what the American magazine Variety reported, Spyglass, the company that produced the film, justified it by saying, “Barrera was fired for showing her support for the Palestinian cause.”
A company spokesman issued a statement published by the magazine saying, “Our position is unequivocally clear: We have no tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or any other form of terrorism.” “Something that blatantly suggests it is hate speech.”
American actress Susan Sarandon joined the list of artists who were harmed because of their positions in support of the Palestinian cause, as Newsweek magazine confirmed that the talent agency UTA had canceled its contract with the Oscar-winning actress on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, after She has been managing her business since 2014.
Sarandon participated in a demonstration that included thousands in the streets of New York City on Friday, November 18, during which she raised banners demanding an end to the war on Gaza. She said in a statement to Deadline during the demonstration that “there are many people who taste the feeling of being a Muslim in this world.” time, and in this country.
Sarandon also resorted to social media to express her support for Palestine, by writing and sharing posts on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter). She re-published a statement by British musician Roger Waters from the band “Pink Floyd” in which he supported the Palestinians and demanded an end to the bombing of Gaza.
The 77-year-old actress had previously faced calls for exclusion, after she reposted a photo of herself on stage in early November at the #March4Palestine protest in Washington, DC. She also wrote next to a photo with members of the Palestinian Women’s Gathering, “It is not It is necessary to be Palestinian in order to care about what is happening in Gaza. I stand with Palestine. “No one is free until everyone is free.”
Sarandon joined more than 2,000 artists around the world in issuing a statement, expressing their support for Palestine and the people of Gaza, affirming their condemnation of the crimes committed by Israel, through which they accused governments of helping Israel commit war crimes in Gaza, and demanded an end to military and political support for Israel. These artists include William Cunningham, John Cusack, Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Coogan, Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake, and Miriam Margulies.
For the same reason, Maha Dakhil, one of the largest business agents at CAA, lost her position, knowing that she was directly responsible for managing the business of American star Tom Cruise, who intervened to limit the damage to her.
Dakhil was attacked following a post on Instagram, in which she said, “What is more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide?” “We are witnessing denial of genocide.”
Dakhil was relieved of her duties as co-head of the Motion Picture Department, although she was allowed to remain an agent, as Cruz warned the agency and said he supported it in limiting the damage, before he visited her in her office at the agency on November 15.
A group of agency workers threatened to withdraw, due to the agency’s treatment of Maha Dakhil, especially since she was on the verge of being fired had it not been for Cruz’s intervention. On the other hand, some clients, who complained internally about Dakhil’s posts, felt disappointed, believing that she should have been fired. separately.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA West) was subjected to severe criticism because it did not declare a sympathetic position with Israel against the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, especially after Meredith Stemm, president of the union, announced that a statement condemning Hamas would not be issued, because “many members asked us to abstain.” Because “consensus is elusive.”
Kill them all
On the other hand, American actor and producer James Woods issued a new statement against the residents of the Gaza Strip, as he said in a post on the “X” platform, “No to a ceasefire.” No to the truce. No to forgiveness,” using the hashtag “Kill them all,” and he is the same one who was known to support former US President Donald Trump during his years in power, in contradiction to the vast majority in Hollywood.
Actress Gal Gadot – the heroine of the movie “Wonder Woman” – is promoting Tel Aviv’s position in Hollywood. She organized a 47-minute show filmed from the battles on October 7, 2023 in the American city of Los Angeles, and invited 120 prominent figures. Hollywood celebrities including actors, actresses, producers and executives are in attendance.
Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv cooperated with Gadot in organizing the event. Gadot did not attend the event she organized. The square outside the Museum of Tolerance, which witnessed the show, witnessed clashes between different groups, in the presence of a number of Israeli officials, including Tel Aviv’s ambassador to America, Michael Herzog.
Director Quentin Tarantino had visited one of the Israeli army units for the purpose of moral support, and took memorial photos with them.
The same division appeared in the actors’ union, Equity, in Britain, which has about 47,000 members. The union was criticized after issuing a statement accusing Israel of carrying out “bombing, occupation and apartheid.” It said its members feared censorship for voicing concerns about the conflict, and were calling on the UK government to “stand against genocide.”
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies
