‘Choose Humanity Over Violence’: Wave of Celebrities Speak Out About Israel-Hamas War, Condemn Terrorism
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Dwayne Johnson. Photo: Cover Media via Reuters Connect
The Kardashians, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Barbara Streisand are among the Hollywood celebrities who have spoken out about the deadly Israel-Hamas war, which began last weekend when Hamas invaded the Jewish state and killed well over 1,000 Israelis, mostly civilians.
“I’m heartbroken, angry, and sickened by the brutal murders and kidnapping of Jewish people through the horrific acts of the Hamas terrorist group … hateful acts of terrorism like these are never justified, ” said Johnson in an Instagram post. The wrestler-turned-actor also condemned the terrorist attacks and shared his condolences with the innocent victims.
Roc Nation — the management, music publishing, and entertainment company founded by rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z — said in a statement, “The world is too small for hatred, violence, and bloodshed. We grieve the irreparable loss of life as we equivocally denounce all acts of terrorism. We are praying for peace.”
Stranger Things star and Jewish actor Noah Schnapp posted a lengthy message on social media calling out those who have remained “chillingly quiet” about the war, even though those same people “love to jump on fashionable causes like supporting Ukraine and combating climate change. The Jewish people are seeing your silence and we won’t forget it.”
Schnapp also shamed his followers who are siding with the violence being carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israelis and those “attempting to justify the brutality against these innocent Israeli people.” He told his followers, “You don’t have to be Jewish, you don’t have to be Israeli, you just have to have empathy and common sense to know that THIS is wrong … You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism. It shouldn’t be a difficult choice. Shame on you.”
“Choose humanity over violence,” he added. “The Jewish people … are stronger than your hatred. We are strong. We are compassionate. We have prevailed before and we will prevail again.”
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Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, talked about his family in Israel and said it’s “bone-chilling” to hear about the “terrorism and massacres” being carried out during the war. Kourtney Kardashian shared a message about the brutal killings of children by Hamas terrorists.
Hilary Duff, Kris Jenner, Eva Longoria, and Khloe Kardashian reposted a message that addressed those who are “afraid to have an opinion” and “afraid of saying the wrong thing,” noting that “we can — and must — always use our voices to denounce terrorism and the senseless murder of civilians.”
Kim Kardashian posted a lengthy personal message on Instagram to all her “Jewish friends and family,” condemning the Hamas violence.
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Model Hailey Beiber, former NBA player Amare Stoudemire, Mandy Moore, and Kim Kardashian reposted a message by Jewish comedian Alex Edelman that denounces Hamas’ actions, the justification of war crimes, and the celebration of murder. Meanwhile, singer Justin Bieber wrote in an Instagram Story post: “Truly hurting for both my Israeli and Palestinian friends. Im [sic] pretty sure we all instinctively know evil when we see it … I’m not interesting in choosing sides, but I am interested in standing with the families who have been brutally taken from us.” He wrote in a separate Instagram story, “praying for Israel.”
R&B singer Usher shared on his Instagram Stories an image of a hand closed in a fist that has the image of an Israeli flag projected on it. He wrote in an accompanying message that he is “appalled” by the number of innocents who have been murdered and “my heart and prayers goes out to the loved ones of the victims of such a horrendous crime. We as people have to stand together against any and all acts of hate.” Ryan Tedder said his “heart is broken for the extreme violence & loss of life in Israel – this is unreal.”
Singer Charlie Puth reposted a message written by Jewish actor Ben Platt, who denounced Hamas and anyone who is using the desire for “freedom and human rights in Palestine” as a justification to carry out violence, “antisemitism, and the extermination of Jews.”
Others who have spoken out include Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paris Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Zoe, Mayim Bialik, and DJ Diplo — who shared remorse about the massacre at the Israeli Supernova music festival on Saturday.
Others to make public comments inclue Alesso, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Black, Jennifer Garner, Kate Walsh, Shira Haas, Lior Raz, Jessica Seinfeld — who uploaded a number of posts on Instagram in support of Israel and Jews — Jerry Seinfeld, Mandy Patinkin, and Mark Ronson. Late night talk show hosts — including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon — similarly addressed the “horrific” Hamas violence during their shows this week.
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