Seth Rogen, Schwarzenegger join hundreds of Hollywood heavies in support of Israel
Top entertainers are playing a new role – publicly supporting Israel in its war against Hamas.
By DAVID BRINNSeth Rogen(photo credit: REUTERS)
Nearly 200 Hollywood entertainers ranging from A-listers like Seth Rogen and Minnie Driver to veterans Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone are playing a new role – publicly supporting Israel in its war against Hamas.The entertainers including Bill Maher, Sarah Silverman, Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun and director Ivan Reitman – have signed a statement written by Creative Community For Peace, an organization of prominent entertainment industry executives devoted to using art and music to build bridges for peace, that comes down squarely on Israel’s side in the conflict.The statement which expresses support for Israel’s right to defend its people against Hamas as well as empathy for the loss of all innocent lives, is running as an advertisement in major industry publications, including Billboard, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter.“Hamas cannot be allowed to rain rockets on Israeli cities, nor can it be allowed to hold its own people hostage.Hospitals are for healing, not for hiding weapons. Schools are for learning, not for launching missiles. Children are our hope, not our human shields,” reads the statement signed by the entertainers According to CCFP’s co-founder and chairman David Renzer, the campaign rapidly took off as the organization’s advisory board members began reaching out to their friends and associates.We are heartened to have received such an enormous response from within the industry – from artists to producers, agents, attorneys, managers, and industry executives – which is gratifying especially as we witness the disturbing growth of anti-Semitism around the globe. We fully expect the list of signatories to continue to grow,” said Renzer.We are asking fans of art and music to spread our message through a social media campaign using the hashtag #CCFPandFriends, added Lana Melman, CCFP director.CCFP opposes the singling out of Israel for a cultural boycott and helps provide balance to the dialogue regarding Israel’s role in today’s tumultuous Middle East. Steve Schnur, president of the EA Music Group and CCFP co-founder, explained.“We and all of our friends in Hollywood hope for a speedy end to the conflict so that artists can resume travel to Israel and see for themselves the country’s thriving democracy, its rich culture, and its people’s profound desire for peace, once again allowing the power of art and music to bring people together,” he said.
