Israel and Palestine’s conflict has taken an ugly turn leaving thousands dead, and a million homeless.
Over the past three weeks, the conflict, which started on October 7, has claimed the lives of over 9,000 Palestinians. Numerous organizations, including the UN, UNICEF, WHO, and Amnesty International, have discussed the situation and potential solutions. Along with the organization, various celebrities have broken their silence on the current situation in Israel and Gaza, expressing their condemnation of the violence and offered assistance to the victims.
Some of the actors who have spoken up for Palestine are Michael Stipe, Caroline Polachek, Killer Mike, Dua Lipa, Vic Mensa, Miguel, Kaytranada, Macklemore, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, John Cusack, Lena Waithe, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, and Adam Lambert. They signed a letter called Artists4Ceasefire, wherein they have requested the US administration and President Biden to urge for ceasefire in the war hit zone.
Also read: Angelina Jolie slams Israel, calls world leaders ‘complicit in war crimes’
Meanwhile, Hollywood superstar and former UNHCR ambassador Angelina Jolie has slammed Israel, saying that the international community is complicit in “crimes” committed against civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The Hollywood actress, who previously served as a special envoy to UNHCR, shared a photo on Instagram of a recent Israeli strike in the densely populated Strip and said “This is the deliberate bombing of a trapped population who has nowhere to flee.”
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Palestinian American model Gigi Hadid has shared a statement on the conflict on Instagram. She wrote: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict—too many of which are children.
“I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it’s a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person.”
Swedish singer Zara Larsson has also shared a take on the conflict. Posting a photo of herself on her Instagram Story, Larsson added the caption: “Oh so it’s stand with Ukraine when Russia invades but not Palestine.”
Jewish American actor Wallace Shawn, along with other Jewish activists in Washington, DC, protested the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, saying “it’s one of the most deliberate cruelties inflicted on a group of people.”
American actress Susan Sarandon, who has always spoken in favor of the Palestinian people on several occasions, used her official page on X to repost a lot of posts condemning Israel’s aggression against Gaza.
The 77-year-old actor also asked her followers to call their representatives in the White House to demand a ceasefire and an end to apartehid.
Irish actor Liam Cunningham posted a video on Instagram on what seems to be a pro-Palestine protest in Dublin. He captioned the video with “#Gaza.”
American actor John Cusack also posted in solidarity with Palestinians.
Maria Guardiola, the daughter of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, also voiced her support for Palestinians.
Moreover, Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan and Miriam Margolyes were among more than two thousand cultural figures in the UK to have signed a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a halt to Israeli “war crimes” in an open letter.
Producers, curators, writers, DJs, architects and designers were among the signatories in support of the “global movement against the destruction of Gaza and the mass displacement of the Palestinian people”.
“Our governments are not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them,” said the letter, whose signatories included well-known actors Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Coogan, and Miriam Margolyes.
The letter condemned “every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them”.
Meanwhile in Arab world, Lebanese pop singer Elissa was the first person to show support for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. She did this by liking multiple posts on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter, that expressed solidarity with Palestine, before she sent out a tweet featuring the flag of Palestine along with the words, “if you cannot lift the injustice, at least tell everyone about it.”
The Middle East’s top actors, including Karim Abedal Aziz, Sulaff Fawakherji, Monther Rayahneh, Mohamed Henedi, Kinda Alloush, Horeya Farghaly, Sherihan, Ahmed Helmy, Takla Chamoun and Fifi Abdo, were among the celebrities who used their social media platforms to voice support for Palestinians.
Several well-known Pakistanis have spoken out against the brutality committed by Israel. These well-known individuals have been able to contribute to being change agents by doing this.
Palestine, Forever Palestine! ????????
— Saba Qamar (@s_qamarzaman) October 11, 2023
Celebrated actor Yumna Zaidi shared a photo of herself on Instagram, holding the sign, “Free Palestine.” She also put up a text-based Story in which she wrote, “I stand with Palestine,” adding “Gaza” with an emoji signifying a drop of blood alongside.
Let me remind you. No matter how badly you want to dehumanise people, they are still people. There are no winners in a conflict, only bloodshed, extreme hurt, loss and unimaginable pain. How would you feel if you lost your child, a parent or a loved one? How would YOU feel? Have…
— Armeena ✨ (@ArmeenaRK) October 10, 2023
Armeena Rana Khan underscored the importance of humanity in these trying times, while Saba Qamar shared “Palestine, Forever Palestine! through a tweet on X.
Meanwhile, Frieha Altaf, a prominent figure in the fashion industry, shared a powerful note on her Instagram account, contributing her voice to the growing chorus of support for Palestine.
Furthermore, Ushna Shah offered a thought-provoking analogy on the plight of the Palestinian people through a shared post.
Singer Hasan Raheem, who has consistently voiced his stance on the issue, remains outspoken. He criticized those who have remained silent on the issue, calling them “complicit” in the ongoing tragedy in Palestine. Hasan expressed his views on Israel’s existence, stating it was created by the West to disrupt the Middle East.
Apart from these celebrities, Osman Khalid Butt, who has been vocal about this issue for quite some time, has continued to voice his support for Palestine on X. Quoting a post that stated, “Happening now in DC: the largest Jewish protest in solidarity with Palestinians in US history,” the actor said, “The tide is turning.”
