The conflict between Israel and Hamas has become one of the hottest topics of conversation in Hollywood. As the war heats up, actors, writers, directors, and other well-knowns from the industry are speaking out and taking sides.
On the one hand, many leaders from the entertainment industry have spoken up in favor of Palestine and the many Palestinians living under the oppressive Israeli occupation. They’ve spoken out on social media, taken part in protests, and marched through streets to voice their support for Palestine.
On the other hand, there are many other people in the entertainment world who are unequivocally pro-Israel. They’ve gone out of their way to share their belief in Israel’s right to defend its people, often using the same language and hashtags favored by the Israeli government.
The rift between the two groups in Hollywood has become so wide that it has had an impact on the business world. Several actors, writers, and directors have been dropped by their agents for publicly taking a side in the conflict.
Several films and TV shows have also been put on pause while the writers consider whether or not to include a pro-Palestinian or pro-Israel element in their story lines. Hollywood producers are also having to contend with boycotts of Israeli products and services and potential fight-backs from those on both sides of the conflict.
The tension in Hollywood is only a reflection of the debate reverberating throughout the world. For Hollywood, it has been a wake-up call that the industry and its artists are no longer above the international battle lines. Ultimately, it shows us that Hollywood, like the rest of the world, is divided over the Israel/Palestine conflict.