Supporting Israel are more than 700 celebrities and entertainment executives, including Michael Douglas, Amy Schumer, Liev Schreiber, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Gal Gadot. Creative Community for Peace invited them to join a letter they wrote, urging Hamas to release its captives and declaring its opposition to Hamas’ attack on Israel. It also called on the entertainment business to refrain from spreading false messages about the conflict.
Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, launched an attack on southern Israel. The situation in Ukraine was described by the Associated Press on Thursday as more than 2,600 deaths on either side during the intense fighting. Gadot explained, “I am heartbroken for those whose lives were lost and the families they leave behind.” I am praying for all who have experienced the violence and terrorism of Hamas. I hope that members of the international community continue to strongly support the Israeli people. As soon as Hamas fired rockets from Gaza, Hollywood names spoke out in support of Israel.
Why are celebrities supporting Israel?
Celebrities like Gal Gadot openly support Israel for some interrelated reasons:
1. National and personal identity
For Gal Gadot, her nationality and individual identity are very much connected to Israel. For the last eight generations, my family has called Israel home, with my grandfather surviving the Holocaust and coming to Israel after the war. Because of what happened to her family, she is passionate about Israel and so pushed to defend and help her people when Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023.
2. Tackling security and terrorism problems
Gadot and several others have supported Israel in response to Hamas militants attacking the country. After harmless individuals, such as Holocaust survivors, were kidnapped and killed, Gadot said she needed to speak out. She made it clear that her backing was to allow Israel to exist peacefully alongside victims of terrorism.
3. Media and storytelling
According to Gadot, she is unhappy with the way the media has covered the dispute. She arranges for top Hollywood stars to watch Israeli military documentaries so they can learn the real truth about Israel, she believes.
4. Impact of culture and politics
Hollywood and other Western celebrities frequently support Israel due to their common backgrounds, ideas, or views of Israel as a democratic friend in a region of conflict. This group includes a prominent pro-Israel lobby based in Hollywood and the United States, and many people believe it helps influence the opinions of celebrities.
5. Standing in favor of peace and sympathizing with victims
Several celebrities who endorse Israel say they hope their stance will help secure safety and peace for everyone in the region and uphold Israel’s wish for the conflict to end.
What role does media coverage play in shaping celebrity support for Israel?
Celebrity support for Israel is greatly influenced by media coverage, which shapes public opinion, frames stories, and offers forums for advocacy.
1. Using social media as the main source of news
Half of US adults receive their news from social media, so celebrities have a big opportunity to influence opinions about Israel there. Israeli influencers and celebrities voice their thoughts on social media, teach followers about what’s going on, and try to correct what they consider to be biased news.
2. Public diplomacy and narrative framing
Israel and its allies run negative social media campaigns and use the news media to justify their wars against Hamas. Many celebrities recount these stories, highlighting Israel’s self-defense need and mentioning Hamas’s terrible effects on people. As a result of this, people from many nations are encouraged to stand by Israel.
3. Influencer and celebrity amplification
Stars such as Amy Schumer, Michael Rapaport, Gal Gadot, and others use their huge fan bases to spread the word about Israel. Their words, posts, and involvement in public gatherings have a significant impact that shapes perceptions outside of the realm of regular news sources. For instance, Michael Rapaport raises awareness and participation by calling out other celebrities’ silence using humor and blunt criticism.
4. Polarization and backlash
Celebrity advocacy and media coverage also elicited divisive responses. Because of their pro-Israel views, some social media users boycott or ban celebrities, illustrating how media narratives fuel polarizing public debate. This division draws attention to the nuanced role that the media performs in promoting and undermining celebrity viewpoints.
5. Complexities and educational role
Although some contend that celebrity narratives can politicize or oversimplify the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, celebrities use the media to inform their audiences about its history and complexities. However, their participation promotes public awareness and conversation, which could otherwise be limited.
Why are some celebrities risking their followers to support Israel publicly?
Some celebrities have strong moral, personal, or political convictions that drive them to speak out against possible repercussions, even if it means losing fans if they publicly support Israel. Among the main reasons are
1. Moral and emotional conviction
Many celebrities, including Gal Gadot, view the conflict as a direct battle against terrorism and feel compelled to support Israel morally, particularly in light of Hamas strikes that have claimed civilian lives and taken hostages. Gadot expressed that when innocent people suffered, she had to object to what was happening and stand with others against heinous violence.
2. Who are we, and where do we come from?
Since they care deeply about Israel, Gadot and other celebrities influenced by Israel usually support it, even though the choice could make them look less favorable to the public. Since supporting Israel demonstrates support for democracy and security in an unsafe place, those who support Israel usually include mention of Israel’s justification for self-defense. This belief often leads to human rights essays being chosen over concerns about driving away protestors.
3. Attempting to correct what the media says has become essential
There are celebrities whose goal is to correct what they feel is unbalanced or biased media coverage. Israel supports the view that their comments to the public help form a better, more honest understanding of what Israel faces.
4. Advocacy for peace and solidarity with victims
Public support is also presented as a call for peace and solidarity with victims of violence, which some celebrities believe is more significant than preserving their widespread appeal.
5. Willingness to face backlash for principles
They insist on maintaining their opinions, facing fierce criticisms, insults, and requests to boycott their concerts by young fans who support Palestine. Following some opposition, Kylie Jenner took down one of her pro-Israel messages, unlike Amy Schumer, Madonna, and Gal Gadot, who all chose to keep theirs.
6. Differences in outlook between Left and Right and between generations
Many young fans, who generally support Palestine, have shown disapproval. How criticism comes to those supporting Israel depends in part on their openness in expressing support, the way their message is made, who their audience is, if their statements match facts, their backgrounds, and the way they speak out. It is often the younger pro-Palestinian followers who respond strongly to posts from those who sympathize with Israel and make no reference to what Palestinians go through.
