Hollywood stars are showing their support for Israel after Hamas launched a surprise attack last weekend, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza, killing at least 900 people and kidnapping and holding more than 100 civilians hostage.
The attack, which occurred early Saturday morning on Shabbat and coincided with the Jewish high holiday of Simchat Torah, has been dubbed “Israel’s 9/11” and is the deadliest day in Israel in 50 years. The Hamas attack included a massacre at a music festival where Israeli rescuers said they found 260 bodies.
Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been murdered in a single day. Nine Americans are among the rising death toll.
Over the weekend, President Joe Biden condemned the terrorist attack and supported Israel’s right to defend itself. “The United States strongly condemns this horrific attack against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I have made it 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 government’s support for Israel’s security is rock-solid and unwavering.”
Israel ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip on Monday, cutting off all electricity, food and water flows to the area. In response to the Hamas attack, more than 500 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes.
Now some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are speaking out to lend their support to Israel. Gal Gadot, Madonna, Natalie Portman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Debra Messing, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Kris Jenner and Meghan McCain are among the celebrities who have used social media to stand with Israel.
“I stand with Israel, you should too,” Gadot posted. The Israeli star of “Wonder Woman” posts daily about attacks on Israel. “The world cannot stand idly by while these terrible terrorist attacks occur!”
On Sunday night, U2 changed the song’s lyrics during a performance in Las Vegas in honor of those murdered in Israel. “Given what has happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems a bit ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and non-violence,” the band wrote. “But our hearts and our anger, you know where this is going. So sing with us… and these wonderful children at this music festival.”
Bruno Mars canceled a show scheduled for Saturday evening in Tel Aviv, Israel, after performing a show earlier in the week. The show’s cancellation was announced by concert promoter Live Nation. Bruno Mars has not commented on the Hamas attack in Israel.
Natalie Portman, a Jew, wrote: “My heart is broken for the people of Israel. Children, women and the elderly were murdered and kidnapped from their own homes. I am horrified by these barbaric acts and my heart beats with love and prayer for the families of all those affected.”
Madonna posted a video on her Instagram showing footage of rockets and dead bodies on the streets of Israel. She released a lengthy statement in which she wrote, in part: “Seeing all these families and especially children being rounded up, attacked and murdered on the streets is heartbreaking. “Imagine if that happened to you??” She continued: “My heart goes out to Israel. To families and homes that were destroyed. For lost children. To innocent victims who were killed. To everyone who is suffering or will suffer from this conflict. I pray for you. I am aware that this is the work of Hamas and that there are many innocent people in Palestine who do not support this terrorist organization. This tragic attack will only cause more suffering for everyone.”
Josh Gad, who is Jewish and comes from a family of Holocaust survivors, posted: “I’m at a loss for words. I pray for my many family members in Israel. What a cowardly act. What we are currently experiencing in real time is unprecedented since the Yom Kippur War. My heart breaks for the families of those who lost loved ones and for the hostages who were taken. What a terrible day.”
Both the NBA and MLB have shown a strong show of support, releasing statements from the leagues’ official accounts condemning terrorism and mourning the loss of life in Israel.
Over the weekend, Kylie Jenner shared a photo from the pro-Israel account Stand With Us. The image featured the Israeli flag and said, “Now and always, we stand with the people of Israel!” After her Instagram was flooded with pro-Palestinian commenters, Jenner – who has nearly 400 million Instagram followers – deleted the post. Jenner has not commented on the deletion of her post and a representative for Jenner declined to comment.
However, Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian released a statement on their Instagram Stories condemning the attacks in Israel. “Hamas is a terrorist organization that attacks civilians by land, air and sea. “The images of kidnapped Israelis are shocking and devastating,” said the statement, which also referred in part to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict but focused attention on condemning terrorist attacks and anti-Semitism. “Given thousands of years of persecution of Jews, please know that your Jewish friends – even if they are not in Israel – are hurt and afraid when something like this happens and non-Jews remain silent.”
Scroll down to see more Hollywood reactions to the war in Israel…
Jamie Lee Curtis:
Meghan McCain:
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Once again, my family and I stand with Israel and the Jewish people – yesterday, today, tomorrow – always. Our hearts are completely broken. God may have mercy on the souls of terrorists, but I assure you that America will not. There is no way except Zionism. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VXmvf84y9D
– Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) October 9, 2023
Debra Messing:
Amy Schumer:
Sarah Silverman:
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My sister and my nieces and nephews are there. They have been protesting against BIBI for months. Fight for a two-state solution. Israelis are Jews and Arabs and all colors. This is so complex. But make no mistake: Hamas is a terrorist organization whose mission statement is to kill… https://t.co/RzfeXk13Vr
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) October 7, 2023
Major League Baseball:
Mark Hamill:
Lynda Carter:
Guy Oseary:
Editor’s note: This story will continue to be updated with more celebrity reactions.