Tag: Hollywood

  • Angelina Jolie issues second statement within one week, condemning Gaza bombing

    Angelina Jolie issues second statement within one week, condemning Gaza bombing

    The Israeli forces bombed Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza which has left over 195 killed and 120 civilians missing, bringing the death toll closer to 9000.

    Hollywood actress and philanthropist Angelina Jolie shared a picture of the aftermath of Israel’s attack as well as a statement critcising Israel for attacking innocent civilians and children. Angelina urged for a ceasefire, pointing out that world leaders were complicit in these crimes by refusing to prevent these atrocities.

    “This is the deliberate bombing of a trapped population who have nowhere to flee. Gaza has been an open-air prison for nearly two decades and is fast becoming a mass grave. 40% of those killed are innocent children. Whole families are being murdered. While the world watches and with the active support of many governments, millions of Palestinian civilians – children, women, families – are being collectively punished and dehumanized, all while being deprived food, medicine and humanitarian aid against international law. By refusing to demand a humanitarian ceasefire and blocking the UN Security Council from imposing one on both parties, world leaders are complicit in these crimes.”

    In the second slide of her post, Angelina shared significant history behind Jabalia which holds one of Gaza’s largest refugee camps.

    “Jabalia refugee camp is the largest of the Gaza Strip’s eight refugee camps. After the 1948 War, refugees settled in the camp, most having fled from villages in southern Palestine. The camp covers an area of only 1.4 square kilometers, 116,011 Palestine Refugees are registered with the UNRWA in Jabalia camp alone, 75 years since the Palestine conflict.”

    Just a few days earlier, Angelina issued a statement urging her followers to help the people in Gaza who were being violently displaced by the ongoing attrocities and shared links to places that were taking donations to help the Palestinian civilians.

  • Senate of Pakistan stands with the people of Gaza, demands immediate ceasefire

    Senate of Pakistan stands with the people of Gaza, demands immediate ceasefire

    In a resolute effort to address the dire situation in Gaza, the Senate of Pakistan has passed a resolution, urging the Muslim Ummah to actively intervene and provide urgent assistance to innocent Muslims caught in the crossfire of the Gaza-Israel conflict.

    The resolution, tabled by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, highlighted the collective silence of the Muslim world, emphasizing the need for immediate action to curb the escalating violence.

    During the impassioned debate, Senator Siddiqui expressed disappointment over the lack of proactive measures from influential organizations like the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urging them to stand up to Israel.

    He underscored the stark contrast between the vast geographic expanse of Muslim-populated lands and the Israeli state, yet the discrepancy in action remained striking.

    During his address to the Senate session, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani raised concerns about the broadening extent of Israeli attacks, encompassing the West Bank and other areas, and expressed alarm regarding the loss of lives resulting from continued bombardments in Gaza strip and beyond.

    Jilani highlighted that the United Nations has compared Gaza to a “graveyard” due to the substantial loss of life.

    Mushahid Hussain Sayed took to X (former Twitter) and said, “Drafted unanimous resolution passed by Senate of Pakistan regarding GazaGenocide! Took a strong position reflecting full, unwavering & unconditional on supporting Palestine & beleaguered children, women & men of Gaza!”

    Office of the Chairman Senate’s account tweeted, “I, strongly condemn the reprehensible airstrike on Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp by Israeli Terrorists. The senseless and barbaric act of taking innocent women and children’s lives is a horrific atrocity that shocks the conscience of humanity.”

    Moreover, Senator Saadia Abbasi and Nisar Ahmed Khuhro emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine, condemning the establishment of the state of Israel as illegal and underscoring the historical context of Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian cause.

    Senator Hafiz Abdul Kareem made his speech in Arabic, after obtaining special permission granted by the Chairman of the Senate.

    Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan made a speech to appreciate the people of Hamas and Gaza.

    Their unified voices condemned the ongoing violence as nothing short of the systematic genocide of the Palestinian people.

    The resolution was supported by a heartfelt speech delivered in Arabic by Senator Hafiz Abdul Kareem, condemning the atrocities committed by Israel.

    Additionally, senators urged the expulsion of Israeli diplomats from Islamic countries, expressing the belief that such a move could pave the way for the resolution of the Palestine issue.

    Amidst the session, the Senate Chairman emphasized the significance of preserving the resolution in the Senate records, solidifying Pakistan’s commitment to the cause.

    The senators called for increased financial and humanitarian aid to be extended to the embattled people of Palestine.

    In a gesture of solidarity, Senator Ahmed Omar Ahmadzai strongly denounced the killing of innocent civilians and children in Gaza, emphasizing the need for active protection from Muslim countries.

    Saleem Mandviwalla commended the Turkish President’s support for the Palestinian people, while Muhammad Qasim highlighted the alarming scale of the atrocities perpetrated against the Palestinians, labeling it as nothing short of genocide.

    This resolution serves as a testament to Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to seeking justice and peace for the affected people of Gaza.

  • ‘We are a family’: Friends costars release statement in wake of Matthew Perry’s death

    ‘We are a family’: Friends costars release statement in wake of Matthew Perry’s death

    Since Matthew Perry’s demise on Saturday in his Los Angeles home, social media and media organisations have waited with baited breath for his Friends’ costars to publicly address the tragedy.

    Now Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Matt Le Blanc have released a statement expressing their grief over the loss of their friend.

    In an exclusive statement issued to People Magazine, the five actors who starred alongside Matthew in ‘Friends’, wrote that they were devastated over the death of Matthew.

    “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

    “In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement further stated. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

    Since the announcement of Matthew’s death, previous ‘Friends’ actors have spoken about their joy of working with him. Hank Azaria, who guest-starred as Phoebe’s boyfriend in Season 1, posted a four minute video remembering his ‘first friend I made in Los Angeles’.

    “Matthew was the first friend I made in Los Angeles. When I moved there, I was 21. He was 16,” Azaria stated. “We did a pilot together called ‘Morning Maggie’ that never saw the light of day. But Matthew and I became really good friends. And we were really more like brothers for a long time. We drank a lot together. We laughed a lot together. We were there for each other in the early days of our career.”

    Paul Rudd, who starred as Phoebe’s boyfriend and later husband from Season 8 to 10 on Friends, shared a picture of Matthew on his Instagram account and wrote in the caption: “Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Matthew’s passing. You will be missed so so so dearly ”

  • ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    Hollywood actress and singer Selena Gomez was slammed by social media users online after her neutral take on the ongoing Gaza genocide. Al-Jazeera reports that intense bombing continue to target Gaza with the death toll already crossing 8000 including more than 3000 children.

    Selena, whose Instagram following stands at 430 million, shared a statement on her stories writing she was heartbroken to witness the horror, naming neither Palestine nor Israel:

    “I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect all people, especially children and stop the violence for good.”

    The last comment, “I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t,” triggered outrage.

    selena gomez is being so stupid right now. she is downplaying her massive following and being hypocritical. if a post can’t help change the world why call yourself a philanthropist?? why post about mental health, blm, womens rights, american elections etc etc” a user wrote.

    Many compared the ‘Only Murders In The Building’ actor’s response to the Ukraine war to this, criticising her for not considering brown lives as important as white ones.

    Others criticised the actress for responding in the same tone-deaf manner in 2016 when she was criticised over her silence on the Black Lives Matter protests.

    Many criticised the statement for being incredibly tone-deaf, pointing out the actress was privileged enough to take a break from social media during the genocide but people in Gaza couldn’t turn away from the violence.

  • ‘What a loss’: Maggie Wheeler, Friends creators mourn the death of Matthew Perry

    ‘What a loss’: Maggie Wheeler, Friends creators mourn the death of Matthew Perry

    Hollywood actor Matthew Perry’s death left the world in mourning. Celebrities and social media users paid condolences to the beloved actor. Perry was best recognised for his performance as the socially awkward and sarcastic Chandler Bing from the critically acclaimed comedy sitcom ‘Friends’. Colleagues from ‘Friends’ stepped forward to send their condolences to the actor.

    Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice in ‘Friends’, shared a picture of her and Matthew together on her Instagram account, writing that she mourned the loss of her close friend. We’re just going to keep hoping he’s still in Yemen.

    “What a loss.The world will miss you Matthew Perry . The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared. ♥️”

    Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother Nora Bing on ‘Friends’, shared a picture from Chandler’s wedding when his mom and dad both walk him down the aisle.

    “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. And such a sweet, caring man, too! I’m sending love and condolences to his friends and family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Falcon Crest & Flamingo Rd. Lovely family and such a heavy loss! #ripmatthewperry #ripmatty  ”

    Paget Brewster, who played Chandler’s love interest Kathy in Season 4 of Friends, wrote the actor would probably be too busy making everyone laugh in heaven.

    “I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”

    The show-runners of ‘Friends’ Marta Kauffman and David Krane released a statement to US Weekly expressing their sorrow on the death of Matthew.

    “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.”

    “From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment — not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.”

    Social media users are remembering Matthew’s brilliance as Chandler by sharing some of his best lines from the show.

    One user wrote “This hurts. he was a light in so many peoples lives. thank you for being our chandler bing, thank you for always putting a smile on our faces. i hope he knew how loved he was, thank you matthew perry.”

  • ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    The call to ban actress Gal Gadot from working in Hollywood has reached unprecedented heights. Social media users are now vowing to boycott her upcoming film ‘Snow White’ where she plays the evil stepmother. Gal Gadot, an Israeli national, has previously worked in the IDF. She was also among the several Hollywood actors who wrote a controversial open letter denouncing the October 7 attack on Israel which did not condemn the growing death toll in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes.

    The Hollywood actress was recently part of a panel slamming the Palestinian protests, that have called for an end to the genocide in Gaza where now 8000 civilians are dead.

    “But I ask myself what has happened to humanity?” Gal could be heard saying. “Why do we need to convince people that it is not okay when others are asking for a ceasefire?”

    Twitter users were shocked at Gal’s insensitive comment and were all in favor of watching her Hollywood career end.

    Users are calling for a boycott of Snow White and for audiences to stop purchasing products made by Disney. Disney was previously embroiled in controversy after the organisation declared its support for Israel and donated $2 million dollars.

    “remember that gal gadot served in the idf (so she is a murderer) and was miss israel 2004 (is proud to represent murderers). disney money goes toward funding israel. to hell with every person involved in this production and every person who supports it. BOYCOTT,” one user wrote.

    The casting of Snow White was overshadowed with controversy after Peter Dinklage called out the production house in 2022 for choosing to adapt a film with offensive stereotypes towards people with dwarfism.

    “You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that f*****g backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave. What the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,” Peter said as quoted by The Guardian.

    Recently, a picture featuring Rachel as Snow White and seven dwarfs surrounding her was criticised by the internet. Users alleged that it looked like one actor, Martin Klebba, had played all the seven dwarfs in CGI versions.

  • Angelina Jolie donates for Gaza, calls for ceasefire

    Angelina Jolie donates for Gaza, calls for ceasefire

    Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie has joined growing calls demanding a ceasefire in Gaza as the death toll from Israeli bombing climbs past 8000, including 3000 children.

    The ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ actress wrote that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic: “nowhere to go, no access to food or water, no possibility of evacuation, and not even the basic human right to cross a border to seek refuge.”

    Angelina went on to reflect on her 20- years of experience working with refugees and stressed on how urgent it is to help those being displaced by violence.

    “Gaza has a population of over 2 million people (half of them are children), who have lived under a severe blockade for over two decades, on top of decades of displacement and statelessness. The few aid trucks that are entering are a fraction of what is needed (and was delivered daily before the present conflict), and the bombings are causing desperate new humanitarian needs daily.”

    The actress ended the note by revealing she had donated to Doctors Without Borders, and urged her followers to do the same.

  • 300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    A letter circulating widely on social media titled #NoHostagesLeftBehind has the signatures of 300 Hollywood celebrities who thanked USA president Joe Biden for recovering two Israeli hostages, Nurit Copper and Yocheved Lifshitz, from Hamas. Previously Hamas had released two American captives Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan.

    The letter went on to express concern over 220 innocent people “including 30 children, remain in captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death. They were taken by Hamas in the savage massacre of October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis were slaughtered – women raped, families burned alive, and infants beheaded.”

    However, the death toll of Palestinian children killed from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has reached 2,055. But the letter chooses to not mention them or any casualty on the Palestinian side.

    The letter went on to thank President Biden for supporting the Jewish people who were “terrorized by the Hamas since the group’s founding over 35 years ago” and also for helping the Palestinians “who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza.”

    According to Al-Jazeera, the death toll of Palestinian has reached to 5000 after consistent bombing in the past 24 hours. Dozens of buildings have been destroyed, one million people are displaced who are also denied basic necessities like food, water and electricity.

    The letter ended with the celebrities claiming their aim is “Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

    Here are all the celebrities who had signed the letter.

    Adam & Jackie Sandler
    Amy Schumer
    Aaron Sorkin
    Barry Diller
    Behati Prinsloo
    Bella Thorne
    Ben Stiller
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bobbi Brown
    Bradley Cooper
    Brett Gelman
    Chris Rock
    Constance Wu
    Courteney Cox
    David Alan Grier
    David Chang
    David Geffen
    David Oyelowo
    Diane Von Furstenberg
    Eli Roth
    Emma Seligman
    Eric Andre
    Ewan McGregor
    Gal Gadot
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Harvey Keitel
    Isla Fisher
    Jack Black
    James Brolin
    Jason Blum
    Jason Sudeikis
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jerry Seinfeld 
    Jesse Plemons
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Seinfeld
    Joey King
    John Slattery
    Jon Hamm
    Jordan Peele
    Josh Brolin
    Judd Apatow
    Judge Judy Sheindlin
    Julia Garner
    Julianna Margulies
    Julie Rudd
    Justin Theroux
    Justin Timberlake
    Karlie Kloss
    Katy Perry
    Kirsten Dunst
    Lana Del Rey
    Laura Dern
    Liev Schreiber
    Madonna
    Martin Short
    Michelle Williams
    Mila Kunis
    Nicola Peltz
    Noa Tishby
    Olivia Wilde
    Orlando Bloom
    Paul & Julie Rudd
    Richard Jenkins
    Rita Ora
    Ross Duffer
    Sacha Baron Cohen
    Sam Levinson
    Sarah Paulson
    Sean Combs
    Shira Haas
    Sting & Trudie Styler 
    Taika Waititi
    Thomas Kail
    Tiffany Haddish
    Tyler Perry
    Will Ferrell
    Andy Cohen
    Alex Edelman
    Amy Sherman Palladino

    Aubrey Plaza
    Barry Levinson
    Billy Crystal
    Brad Falchuk
    Brian Grazer
    Bridget Everett

    Brooke Shields

    Chelsea Handler

    Chloe Fineman

    Chris Jericho

    Colleen Camp

    David Schwimmer

    Dawn Porter

    Dean Cain

    Debra Messing

    Elisabeth Shue
    Erin Foster
    Eugene Levy
    Gene Stupinski
    Gina Gershon
    Guy Oseary
    Henry Winkler
    Holland Taylor
    James Corden
    Jason Reitman
    Jessica Elbaum
    Jimmy Carr
    Jonathan Ross
    Josh Charles
    Juliette Lewis
    Kristen Schaal
    Kristin Chenoweth
    Lea Michele
    Mark Foster
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead
    Matthew Weiner
    Michael Rappaport
    Molly Shannon
    Noah Schnapp
    Pattie LuPone
    Regina Spektor
    Sara Foster
    Sarah Cooper
    Scott Braun
    Seth Meyers
    Sharon Stone
    Zack Snyder
    Zoey Deutch
    Zosia Mamet
    Zoe Saldana
    Alex Aja
    Aaron Bay-Schuck
    Amy Chozick
    Aron Coleite
    Adam Goodman
    Alan Grubman
    Adam Levine
    Allan Loeb
    Amy Pascal
    Angela Robinson
    Antonio Campos
    Anthony Russo 
    Alexandra Shiva
    Andrew Singer
    Alison Statter
    Alona Tal
    Ali Wentworth
    Ari Dayan
    Ari Greenburg
    Arik Kneller
    Ashley Levinson
    Asif Satchu
    Barbara Hershey
    Barry Rosenstein
    Beau Flynn
    Ben Turner
    Ben Winston
    Ben Younger
    Blair Kohan
    Bobby Kotick
    Brad Slater
    Bradley Fischer
    Bruna Papandrea
    Cameron Curtis
    Casey Neistat
    Cazzie David
    Charles Roven
    Chris Fischer
    Christian Carino
    Cindi Berger
    Claire Coffee
    Craig Silverstein
    Dan Aloni

    Dan Rosenweig

    Dana Goldberg

    Dana Klein

    Danny Strong

    Daniel Palladino

    Danielle Bernstein

    Danny Cohen

    Daphne Kastner

    David Bernad

    David Baddiel

    David Ellison

    David Gilmour &

    Polly Sampson

    David Goodman

    David Joseph

    David Kohan

    David Lowery

    Deborah Lee Furness

    Deborah Snyder
    Donny Deutsch
    Doug Liman
    Douglas Chabbott
    Eddy Kitsis
    Edgar Ramirez
    Elizabeth Himelstein
    Embeth Davidtz
    Emmanuelle Chriqui 
    Erik Feig
    Evan Jonigkeit
    Evan Winiker
    Francis Benhamou
    Francis Lawrence
    Fred Raskin
    Gabe Turner
    Gail Berman
    Gary Barber
    Genevieve Angelson
    Gideon Raff
    Grant Singer
    Greg Berlanti
    Guy Nattiv
    Hannah Fidell
    Hannah Graf
    Harlan Coben
    Harold Brown
    Henrietta Conrad
    Howard Gordon
    Iain Morris
    Imran Ahmed
    Inbar Lavi
    Jackie Sandler
    Jake Graf
    Jake Kasdan 
    Jamie Ray Newman
    Jaron Varsano
    Jason Fuchs
    Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs

    Jason Segel
    JD Lifshitz
    Jeff Rake
    Jen Joel
    Jeremy Piven
    Jesse Itzler
    Jesse Sisgold
    Jill Littman
    Jody Gerson
    Joe Hipps
    Joe Quinn
    Joe Russo
    Joe Tippett
    Joel Fields 
    John Landgraf 
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Glickman
    Jon Liebman
    Jonathan Baruch
    Jonathan Groff 
    Jonathan Tropper

    Jonathan Marc Sherman
    Jonathan Steinberg
    Jonathan Tisch
    Josh Goldstine
    Josh Greenstein
    Josh Grode
    Julia Lester 
    Julie Greenwald
    Karen Pollock
    Kelley Lynch
    Kevin Kane

    Kevin Zegers

    Kitao Sakurai

    KJ Steinberg

    Laura Pradelska

    Lauren Schuker Blum

    Laurence Mark

    Laurie David

    Lee Eisenberg

    Leslie Siebert

    Leo Pearlman

    Limor Gott

    Lina Esco

    Liz Garbus

    Lizanne Rosenstein

    Lizzie Tisch

    Lorraine Schwartz

    Lynn Harris

    Lyor Cohen

    Mandana Dayani

    Maria Dizzia 

    Mara Buxbaum

    Marc Webb

    Marco Perego

    Mark Feuerstein

    Mark Shedletsky
    Mark Scheinberg
    Mathew Rosengart
    Matt Lucas
    Matt Miller
    Matthew Bronfman
    Matthew Hiltzik
    Matti Leshem
    Dame Maureen Lipman
    Max Mutchnik
    Maya Lasry
    Meaghan Oppenheimer
    Melissa Zukerman
    Michael Ellenberg
    Michael Aloni
    Michael Green
    Michael Rapino
    Michael Weber
    Mike Medavoy
    Mimi Leder
    Modi Wiczyk
    Nancy Josephson 
    Natasha Leggero
    Neil Blair
    Neil Druckmann
    Nicole Avant
    Nina Jacobson
    Noa Kirel 
    Noah Oppenheim
    Noreena Hertz
    Odeya Rush
    Oran Zegman
    Pasha Kovalev
    Paul Haas
    Paul Pflug
    Peter Traugott
    Rachel Riley
    Rafi Marmor
    Ram Bergman
    Raphael Margulies 
    Rebecca Angelo
    Rebecca Mall
    Reinaldo Marcus Green
    Rich Statter
    Richard Kind
    Rick Hoffman
    Rick Rosen
    Robert Newman
    Rob Rinder
    Roger Birnbaum
    Roger Green
    Rosie O’Donnell
    Ryan Feldman
    Sam Trammell
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Bremner
    Sarah Treem
    Scott Tenley
    Seth Oster
    Scott Braun
    Scott Neustadter
    Shannon Watts
    Shari Redstone
    Sharon Jackson
    Shauna Perlman
    Shawn Levy
    Sheila Nevins
    Simon Sebag Montefiore
    Simon Tikhman
    Skylar Astin 
    Stacey Snider
    Stephen Fry
    Steve Agee
    Steve Rifkind
    Susanna Felleman
    Susie Arons 
    Todd Lieberman
    Todd Moscowitz
    Todd Waldman
    Tom Freston
    Tom Werner
    Tomer Capone 
    Tracy Ann Oberman
    Trudie Styler
    Tyler James Williams
    Vanessa Bayer 
    Veronica Grazer
    Veronica Smiley
    Whitney Wolfe Herd
    Will Graham
    Yamanieka Saunders
    Yariv Milchan
    Ynon Kreiz

  • More Hollywood stars including Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett ask for ceasefire in Gaza

    More Hollywood stars including Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett ask for ceasefire in Gaza

    As social media users and human rights activists put out a loud chorus to end the genocide in Palestine, celebrities are also adding their voice. According to Variety, a group of 55 actors which included A-list celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Joaquin Phoenix and Riz Ahmed, have signed an open letter demanding US President Biden to call a ceasefire in Gaza.

    The letter includes celebrities like Ayo Edebiri, Muslim comedian and host behind Netflix’s ‘Patriot Act’ Hasan Minhaj, Jeremy Strong, Jessica Chastain, Jon Stewart, Sandra Oh and veteran Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon.

    The letter demanded from Joe Biden to open his eyes to the current destruction and chaos in Gaza: “More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”

    “We urge your administration,” the letter further states. “And all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages. Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them.”

    The statement also quotes UNICEF spokesperson James Elder who condemned the misuse of international law on how Gazan civilians are stripped of their basic necessities and are living within destruction.

    “‘Children and families in Gaza have practically run out of food, water, electricity, medicine and safe access to hospitals, following days of air strikes and cuts to all supply routes. Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday afternoon, shutting down electricity, water and wastewater treatment. Most residents can no longer get drinking water from service providers or household water through pipelines…. The humanitarian situation has reached lethal lows, and yet all reports point to further attacks. Compassion — and international law — must prevail.’ – UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.”

    The letter ends with the signatories calls for everyone to stand for freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people. “We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing. As Emergency Relief Chief Martin Griffiths told UN News, “History is watching.’”

  • Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    After the horrific Al-Ahli Baptist hospital bombardment in Gaza, prominent celebrities as well as Jewish activists in the US have taken to social media and the streets to condemn the ongoing genocide of Palestinians, calling for a ceasefire. On Wednesday, 500 Jewish activists were arrested after they stormed the Congressional building, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

    READ MORE: 500 Jewish protesters arrested after demanding ceasefire inside Capitol Hill

    Hollywood celebrities are joining in on the voices to condemn the bombing of Gaza. Yara Shahidi released a statement on her Instagram account, demanding an end to the atrocities and a ceasefire.

    ‘We must also have the capacity to hold on to the urgent need for support and allyship for the Palestinian peoples who have been pushed into yet-another forced relocation, killed in designated places of refuge, and denied access to humanitarian aid- no access to water, electricity or food- violating explicit international humanitarian laws.”

    ‘Sex And The City’ actor and politician Cynthia Nixon condemned the violence in Palestine, urging her colleagues to join Cori Bush’s call for a ceasefire.

    Celebrity couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend shared a joint statement on their Instagram account, revealing that they were working with organisations like World Central Kitchen and Doctor’s Without Borders to ensure children and families in both Palestine and Israel have access to humanitarian relief.

    In the last paragraph, the couple called upon world leaders to “do everything in their power to protect the human rights of children impacted by the ongoing conflict.”

    Doctors Without Borders has explicitly shown footage on their Instagram account of the massacre at Al-Ahli hospital after the Israeli attack, writing that, “Nothing justifies a shocking attack on a hospital and its many patients and health workers, as well as the people who sought shelter there.”

    World Central Kitchen has shared videos of food donations they have provided to struggling families affected by the war in Gaza and in Israel.