Gal Gadot, Madonna, Natalie Portman, The Rock, And More Hollywood Stars Support Israel Amid Deadly Hamas Attacks
Hollywood stars are showing their support for Israel, after Hamas launched a surprise attack this past weekend, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza that have killed at least 900 people with more than 100 civilians kidnapped and held hostage.
The attack, which occurred early Saturday morning on Shabbat and coincided with the Jewish high holiday of Simchat Torah, is being called “Israel’s 9/11” and is the deadliest day in Israel in 50 years. Hamas’ attack included a massacre at a music festival where Israeli rescuers say they have found 260 bodies.
Not since the Holocaust have this many Jews been murdered in one single day. Nine American citizens are among the climbing death toll.
Over the weekend, President Joe Biden condemned the terrorist attack and supported Israel’s right to defend itself. “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. Terrorism is never justified,” the president said in a statement. “My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
Israel ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza on Monday, cutting off all electricity, food and water to the area. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel airstrikes, in response to the Hamas attack.
Now, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are speaking up to lend their support to Israel. Gal Gadot, Madonna, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Natalie Portman, Andy Cohen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Debra Messing, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Kris Jenner, Mindy Kaling and Meghan McCain are among the celebrities who have taken to social media to stand alongside Israel.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to help children in Israel and Gaza, sources tell Variety.
“I stand with Israel you should too,” Gadot posted. “The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!” The “Wonder Woman” star, who is Israeli, has been posting daily about Israel being under attack. She has been posting photos of the hostages taken by Hamas, in an effort to help bring them home.
On Sunday evening, U2 changed lyrics during a performance in Las Vegas to honor those murdered in Israel. “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence,” the band posted. “But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”
Bruno Mars cancelled a show in Tel Aviv, Israel, that was planned for Saturday evening, after he had put on one show earlier in the week. The show cancellation was announced by concert organizer Live Nation. Bruno Mars has not made any statement regarding Hamas’ attack in Israel.
Natalie Portman, who is Jewish, posted: “My heart is shattered for the people of Israel. Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes. I am in horror at these barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected.”
The Rock — who with 392 million Instagram followers is the fifth most followed individual on the platform in the world — posted a statement to condemn Hamas terrorists, and support Jewish people. Johnson is the most influential public figure to release such a statement.
“I’m heartbroken, angry, and sickened by the brutal murders and kidnapping of Jewish people through the horrific acts of the Hamas terrorist group,” Johnson wrote. “The growing loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives is heart wrenching as this war escalates to immense proportions.”
The original article can be found at Veriety.
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