LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: An open letter demanding "a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel" was signed by several A-list celebrities of the entertainment industry and directed at President Joe Biden.
It was a powerful show of solidarity for those caught in the crossfire.
Biden was reportedly asked to seek an "immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost" by 58 A-list celebrities. "We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing."
Susan Sarandon, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Andrew Garfield, Kristen Stewart, Quinta Brunson, Riz Ahmed, and Mahershala Ali are among the stars who signed the petition.
According to the Associated Press, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel escalating conflict has resulted in a death toll that has topped 2,700 casualties on both sides, adding to suffering and inflaming resentment for the 11th day of war.
With Hamas' October 7 ambush attack from the Gaza Strip, which left at least 1,400 people dead—mostly civilians—Israel has pledged to wipe the Palestinian militant group from the face of the earth.
Over 4,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, were reportedly killed in the violence, per the Hamas-run health ministry.
'History is watching'
Emergency Relief Chief Martin Griffiths said to UN News, "History is watching." Artists4CeaseFire.org released the letter stating that humanitarian help must be permitted to reach civilians.
The letter reads: "We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages."
"Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them."
The statement continues: "More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic."
"We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians."
"We believe that the United States can play a vital diplomatic role in ending the suffering and we are adding our voices to those from the US Congress, UNICEF, Doctors without Borders, The International Committee of The Red Cross, and so many others. Saving lives is a moral imperative. To echo UNICEF, 'Compassion — and international law — must prevail.'"
The signatories include the following A-List Hollywood celebrities:
Alia Shawkat
Alyssa Milano
Amanda Seales
Amber Tamblyn
America Ferrera
Andrew Garfield
Ani DiFranco
Anoushka Shankar
Aria Mia Loberti
Ayo Edebiri
Bassam Tariq
Bassem Youssef
Bonnie Wright
Caroline Polachek
Cate Blanchett
Channing Tatum
Cherien Dabis
Darius Marder
David Cross
Dev Hynes
Diplo
Dominique Fishback
Dominique Thorne
Dua Lipa
Elvira Lind
Elyanna
Farah Bsaiso
Fatima Farheen Mirza
Hasan Minhaj
Hend Sabry
Ilana Glazer
Indya Moore
James Schamus
Jeremy Strong
Jessica Chastain
Jessie Buckley
Joaquin Phoenix
Jon Stewart
Kehlani
Kristen Stewart
Macklemore
Mahershala Ali
Margaret Cho
Mark Ruffalo
May Calamawy
Michael Malarkey
Michael Moore
Michael Stipe
Michelle Wolf
Miguel
Mo Amer
Natalie Merchant
Oscar Isaac
Quinta Brunson
Rachel Sennott
Ramy Youssef
Ravena Aurora
Riz Ahmed
Rooney Mara
Rosario Dawson
Rowan Blanchard
Ryan Coogler
Sandra Oh
Sebastian Silva
Shailene Woodley
Shaka King
Simi Haze
Stephanie Suganami
Susan Sarandon
Taylour Paige
Tommy Genesis
Vic Mensa
Victoria Monét
Wallace Shawn
Wanda Sykes
Yara Shahidi
The letter, which came out on Friday, October 20 has been preceded by another open letter signed by hundreds of celebrities last week denouncing the "barbaric acts" carried out by Hamas fighters.
The open letter urges everyone in the entertainment industry to strongly condemn Hamas, stand by Israel, and abstain from disseminating false information about the conflict.
It further encourages them to do everything within their power to persuade the terrorist organization to release the captives back to their families, per Variety.
Internet hails Hollywood celebs advocating for 'ceasefire'
Following the release of Hollywood's "ceasefire" petition to the President, Internet users began praising the entertainment industry for their supportive act.
One social media user took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "This is important, i hope people will follow their example and keep asking for a ceasefire"
"We will be adding more names soon," added a second X user.
A third user hailed and said, "People of integrity and backbone. Hats off to them."
Another hopeful Internet user said, "If this would be honoured then it’ll be good. The world needs peace."
"Ceasefire is the way to go," said another one.
One more said, "Its good to see atleast few people like them have come up with this"
Another one said, "People with upstanding moral, thank you for speaking up amidst the risks of losing jobs and being alienated. We need to stop this #GazaGenocide."
One more praised and said, "A powerful message from the entertainment industry! These 58 individuals have united in a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. Their voices amplify the plea for peace in a troubled region."
