Over 700 Hollywood Stars Stand up For Palestine
CrossFireArabia- September 14, 2024
More than 700 members of a major Hollywood union have urged their association to take a stand to protect voices “who acknowledge Palestinian suffering” from being blacklisted in the industry.
In an open letter released on Wednesday, actors and entertainment professionals called on the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild – AmericanFederation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to issue a public statement condemning Israel’s ongoing genocide war on Gaza as well as the industry’s “McCarthyist repression of members who acknowledge Palestinian suffering” according to the Quds News Network.
“We… demand [our leadership]… to speak out against the targeting and killing of innocent Palestinian civilians, health workers, and our journalist colleagues… and to eliminate any doubt of our solidarity with workers, artists, and oppressed people worldwide,” read the statement.
Among those who signed the letter were Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Nixon, Common, Susan Sarandon, Riz Ahmed and Rosie O’Donnell.
The letter adds that SAG-AFTRA shared a statement condemning the 7 October Hamas operation, but has “remained silent” despite Israel’s “clear violations of human rights and Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land and lives”.
Several Hollywood celebrities have come under pressure or been dropped by studios and agencies for criticising Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.
Last November, Mexican actor Melissa Barrera was fired from the Scream franchise for her social media posts criticising Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and accusing Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing,” which the production company, Spyglass Media Group, claimed were “antisemitic”.
The same day, Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon was dropped by her talent agency after she spoke at a pro-Palestine rally where she said people were “stepping away from brainwashing” about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Members of the entertainment industry have said that they were being “penalised” for speaking in support of Palestinians.
Union members said they made several attempts to engage with the union leadership on crafting a statement together, but those efforts were ignored, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Gabriel Kornbluh, a SAG-AFTRA board member and strike captain, criticised the union leadership, saying its inaction undermines the solidarity built during last year’s months-long strike.
“I’m losing faith in President [Fran] Drescher’s ability to lead our union down an equitable path,” he said.
“As a Jewish member, I say ‘not in my name’ to Israel’s war crimes and ‘not in my union’s name.’”
Hollywood Stars Speak Against The Gaza Genocide
- CrossFireArabia
- July 31, 2024
The British Muslim TV posted that Hollywood star Jennifer Lopez has just donated $4.5 million to help provide meals and medical aid to Palestinians.
The Muslim TV, which is a media and news company in the UK, states that her contribution points to “her generous and caring spirit.”
Lopez is trending at @JLo #news #Jenniferlopez #Support #Palestine #spirit
Support against the Israeli war on Gaza has been rife from Hollywood actors and include Susan Sarandon frequently speaking against the Gaza genocide.
As well this is what Richard Gere said about the Israeli occupation.
Trump: An Assassination Attempt with Theaterics!
Saleem Ayoub Quna- July 15, 2024
By Saleem Ayoub Quna
CROSSFIREARABIA – As if the Republican ex-President Trump, and today’s sole contender for the world’s number one job, against Joe Biden who is standing to be reelected, was short of theatrics, Donald’s Stars just framed him in a most dramatic, thrilling picture that will forever stick in US memory, and which only great Hollywood film-makers can come up with.
What makes this picture unique, almost a satanic rival of the iconic Mona Liza, eternally and awesomely displayed in Le Louvre of Paris, is the traces of red blood on his cheek, while still hot! Add to that is the solid defying fist in the air, accompanied by a loud sound bite of: “Fight, fight, fight!”
Welcome once again to America!
Take me for an amateur, skeptic, or whatever you want to call me, I am not buying this story!
Yes, there was a person with a gun. Yes, there was a big crowd. And yes there was the most controversial public figure in the modern history of America with the name of Donald Trump on stage, celebrating the company of a mass cheering crowd.
But a bullet that would just hardly scratch the upper tip of the right ear of the targeted man, who instinctively took cover behind the podium, is beyond comprehension! A clumsily used shaving blade or a big mosquito bite, could do more damage!
Mr. Trump was and still is a very successful businessman. One of the best in America and the world. He also served as the 45th US President from 2017 till 2021 and now is seeking a comeback to become the next 47th President of the United States.
Donald Trump was never a stranger to controversy; not in his private life nor public one. Actually, one day, he could be given the nickname of Mr. Controversy, which should not by any means hinder his strong chances of coming back to the White House next year.
Now the final and simple question is: Why did the young man aim at the upper tip of the right ear of Mr. Trump on that sunny bright day? What effect will this have on his followers or the supporters of his rival Mr. Biden?
And finally, what impact can a stray bullet have on deciding who to choose between two contenders who some cynics, local and foreign, like to identify one as a stubborn old man versus his rival a show off clownish figure?
We are here at the receiving end of such theatrics whilst having no part of it, except to pray for a miracle, as our ancestors used to do when facing such hardships!
Saleem Ayoub Quna is a Jordanian writer and published author who writes on local, regional and international affairs
