Over 1,200 Entertainment Figures Reject Israeli Film Boycott amid Hollywood Divide

Hollywood is divided over the Israel-Palestine conflict, with over 1,200 entertainment figures, including Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, and Debra Messing, signing an open letter opposing a boycott of Israeli film institutions. This letter, organized by Creative Community for Peace and The Brigade, condemns the boycott as arbitrary censorship that risks silencing dissenting Israeli voices and fueling antisemitism, emphasizing that many Israeli filmmakers criticize government policies and collaborate with Palestinian artists. The boycott was initially called for by "Film Workers for Palestine" and signed by over 5,000 artists, including Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, as a protest against alleged Israeli human rights abuses. Supporters of the boycott argue it holds Israel accountable by refusing work with Israeli film entities, while opponents see it as discriminatory collective punishment that undermines artistic freedom and dialogue. The anti-boycott letter stresses that cinema should remain a platform for storytelling and peace, warning that cultural boycotts could suppress voices advocating for understanding and worsen divisions. This cultural rift illustrates the broader polarization in Hollywood over the Gaza war and the Middle East conflict.