Hollywood Rift: Schreiber & Messing Defy Boycott Against Israeli Films

Hollywood Divided: The Great Gaza Boycott Debacle

Tension has reached a boiling point in Tinseltown as the entertainment industry is torn apart by a growing rift over the war in Gaza. A staggering 1,200 industry bigwigs have signed an open letter rejecting a high-profile pledge by thousands of their peers to boycott Israeli films. The likes of Liev Schreiber, Debra Messing, Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel, Erin Foster, and Gene Simmons are just some of the A-listers who've lent their names to the counter-letter.

The statement, organized by Creative Community for Peace and The Brigade, takes direct aim at the boycott call issued earlier this month by Film Workers for Palestine. This radical group has managed to gather nearly 5,000 signatures from the likes of Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Colman, and Mark Ruffalo.

"We know the power of film," the letter begins. "We know the power of story. That's why we can't 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 are having none of it, arguing that the boycott pledge is "not an act of conscience" but instead "a document of misinformation that advocates for arbitrary censorship and the erasure of art."

Debra Messing was particularly vocal in her opposition to the boycott, issuing a statement that underscored her views. "When artists boycott fellow artists based solely on their country of origin, it's blatant discrimination and a betrayal of our role as storytellers," she declared.

The counter-letter emphasizes that Israeli film institutions are not government entities but instead often "the loudest critics of government policy." As an example, it points to Israel's recent Academy Award submission, The Sea. This critically acclaimed film tells the story of a Palestinian boy who risks death to visit a Tel Aviv beach – a tale that sparked backlash from Israel's sports and culture minister, who vowed to cut funding for the country's national film awards.

But don't just take our word for it – Saban Entertainment CEO Haim Saban weighed in on the debate. "Storytelling builds understanding around our shared humanity," he said. "Excluding Israeli filmmakers betrays that mission. True progress comes when Israelis and Palestinians listen to one another, and art opens doors politics often close."

The letter also highlights the collaborations between Jewish and Palestinian creatives within Israel's industry, describing it as a "vibrant hub" where artists work together daily to tell complex, often critical stories.

Meanwhile, Paramount has spoken out against the boycott. "Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace," the studio declared. "We need more engagement and communication – not less."

The counter-letter invoked history as a cautionary tale, comparing the proposed boycott to past abuses of censorship, from Nazi Germany's propaganda machine to Soviet-era restrictions and even Hollywood's own blacklist during McCarthyism.

"Every time it was dressed up as virtue," the letter warns. "And every time it was oppression. Every time, its targets expanded." The signatories know that many of their peers have good intentions, but they're warning that this pledge will only fuel division and marginalization.

Actress Mayim Bialik has also spoken out against the boycott, stating that "artists must remind the world of our shared humanity. Boycotting Israelis fuels division and marginalization. This pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, free hostages, or curb antisemitism."

Rebecca De Mornay echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Israel alone is singled out and condemned for defending itself and confronting enemies. "Boycotting Israeli films isn't justice – it's a double standard for Jews and an unjust punishment of Israeli artists," she declared.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the war in Gaza has ignited a firestorm in Hollywood, with no end in sight to this bitter dispute.