Hollywood celebrities who stand in solidarity with Palestine

Culture

By SYAHIRAH MOKHTAZAR

20 Nov 2023 08:30pm

Hollywood celebrities who stand in solidarity with Palestine.

More than a month following Israeli’s bombardment and ground incursion in Gaza, the deepening humanitarian conflict has transpired a new set of fault lines in Hollywood.

While much of the entertainment industry chooses to remain silent, voice a neutral stance to call for “peace”, while others are staunch supporters of Israel, here are some major celebrities who stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Mark Ruffalo attends the premiere of "Lakota Nation Vs United States" at IFC Centre on June 26, 2023 in New York City. - AFP FILE PIX

MARK RUFFALO

Mark Rufflo, known for playing Hulk in the franchise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has long expressed his support towards the Palestinians. Most recently, he tweeted in response to an article about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling Palestinians “collateral damage”.

“Have some compassion, they are Palestinians, not buildings or roads or things, they are human beings and so are the hostages whose lives you may also be destroying. They aren’t “collateral damage” either.

Actor John Cusack speaks at a rally ahead of an upcoming potential strike on Sept 24, 2019 in Chicago. With Chicago teachers demanding increased school funding, pay raises, and more healthcare benefits, the rally also featured Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who praised teachers' work and called for dramatically increased support for public schools nationwide. - AFP FILE PIX

JOHN CUSACK

The actor has issued several statements about the genocide in Gaza, one of them claiming he feels “ashamed for the human race”. He also tweeted about joining a march for Palestine in Chicago, sharing with his followers what he witnessed on ground.

“I was out at the Palestinian march in Chicago. I’ll tell you what I didn’t hear - I didn’t hear death to Israel, I didn’t hear death to Jews, I didn’t hear people celebrating the murders of Israeli civilians. What I DID hear is - we must free Palestine from a brutal occupation - people concerned for their loved ones, in a hell zone, stuck without food, water and power. Deep anguish over people being told to leave and bombed as they left,” he wrote.

SOLANGE KNOWLES

The younger sister of Beyonce took to her Instagram stories to show her support towards Palestine with a poster that read “Free Palestine”.

HALSEY

American singer Halsey has previously voiced her support for Palestine a few years back. However, it took her some time to speak up amidst the recent crisis. She posted a statement a few days ago admitting she didn’t speak earlier out of fear.

“A few people have suggested that it’s cowardice. And to be completely honest, it is.

“I have no meaningful statement or excuse to make that could justify my weeks of silence this time around. And I deeply despise the culture of deflecting responsibility to save face in front of the audience demanding comment. So instead I’m coming here to call it for what it is, admit my regret and reaffirm my stance regarding the liberation of the Palestinian people.”

Zayn Malik arrives for the Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2016 Menswear and Womenswear Collection presentation in New York on Sep 7, 2016. - (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

ZAYN MALIK

The former One Direction member who shares a daughter with American-Palestinian model Gigi Hadid took to Instagram to call for an end to the bombing of Gaza.

The details on the poster read: “We urge your administration and all world leaders to honour all of the lives in the holy land and call for and faciliate a ceasefire without delay”.

CHANNING TATUM

Channing Tatum, together with other A-listers signed an open letter, urging the President of the United States to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Australian actress, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Cate Blanchett attends a plenary session at the European Parliament, EU headquarters in Brussels on Nov 8, 2023. - (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)

CATE BLANCHETT

Cate Blanchett urged the European Parliament to call for a ceasefire and for immediate international intervention to stop the targeting of the unarmed Palestinian people.

The goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said: “I’m not from Israel or Palestine. I’m not a politician. I’m not even a pundit. But I am a witness.”

FRANK OCEAN

Singer Frank Ocean did not speak directly about the matter, however he reposted a letter by UN official criticising the genocide in Palestine.

English singer James Blunt (James Hillier Blount) performs during a concert at the Starlite Music Festival in Marbella on Aug 3, 2018. - (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

JAMES BLUNT

The “Beautiful” singer appeared on a talkshow to talk about a book that he wrote which details about war.

“I went to Kosovo, and I write in darkness that is war, and listening to what you’re talking about Gaza - the stories I write about, the things we saw, the genocide we witnessed is identical to what is going now,” he said.

MONTAUK, NEW YORK - JULY 13: Susan Sarandon attends Rufus Wainwright 50th Birthday Celebration at The Montauk Point Lighthouse on July 13, 2023 in Montauk, New York. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Roy Rochlin / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

SUSAN SARANDON

The 77-year-old actress has declared her support for Palestinians on social media. She tweeted: “You don’t have to be Palestinian to care about what’s happening in Gaza. I stand with Palestine. No one is free until everyone is free.

However, the post divided fans and followers with those criticising her decision to support Palestine while others praised her for speaking truth to power.

LORDE

The singer-songwriter originally from New Zealand has made several posts about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and uses her platform to spread awareness about the Ceasefire Now movement.

She shared a video of Nemahsis, an artist from Palestine singing her song Team and said that she was incredibly moved by the Palestinian.

“I am so grateful to my Palestinian sister for reminding me why I make art - it speaks when I cannot. It fills spaces where words are inadequate. She speaks through me; I speak through her,” she wrote in an Instastory post.

Actress Angelina Jolie (C) listens during an event to mark the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act at the East Room of the White House on March 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. - AFP FILE PIX

ANGELINE JOLIE

The actress is no stranger to voicing her support for Palestine. She released a statement that initially sympathised with Israelis who were victimised on Oct 7, but continued to say that it doesn’t justify the innocent lives lost in bombing a civilian population in Gaza.

ZENDAYA

Actress and singer Zendaya showed solidarity with Gaza on her Instagram account, calling for urgent relief for Gaza’s children.

JOAQUIN PHOENIX

The Oscar-winning actor has joined the list of other Hollywood celebrities who signed an open letter to the President of the Unites States Joe Biden, to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Here is the list of celebrities who have signed the open letter to Biden to call for a ceasefire.

Alia Shawkat

Alyssa Milano

Amanda Seales

Amber Tamblyn

America Ferrera

Andrew Garfield

Ani DiFranco

Anoushka Shankar

Aria Mia Loberti

Ayo Edebiri

Bassam Tariq