Paramount Global is the first major Hollywood studio to release an official statement regarding the Israel-Hamas War, condemning the deadly attacks and standing with the Jewish community.
“Paramount Global condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas. We stand with the people of Israel and the global Jewish community,” Paramount’s statement says.
Hollywood leaders are also speaking up. On Thursday, a group of entertainment executives released a joint statement in support of Israel.
“We denounce the brutal attacks by Hamas in Israel. These atrocities will have a devastating impact on future generations. We unequivocally stand in solidarity with Israel in the global fight against terrorism. Am Yisrael Chai,” says a joint letter, obtained by Variety, that was signed by 15 industry executives, including Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Eli Roth, Haim Saban and more.
Paramount’s statement that was posted on Thursday morning continues, “We stand with all the innocent lives impacted. We stand with the children who deserve to be children. We stand united against all acts of terror and hate.”
The studio provided a list of organizations to support with donations, including Magen David Adom, Natal, UJA-Federation of New York and Save the Children.
Other Hollywood executives have sent internal memos addressing the situation in the Middle East, including Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who condemned the “unimaginable, abhorrent and inexcusable” “terrorist attacks by Hamas on innocent men, women, children and babies” and applauded the “dedication and courage” of CNN and TVN journalists covering the war.
Meanwhile, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel called the Hamas attacks “one of the worst pogroms in history,” and UTA and CAA offered statements in support of Israel and prayers for the “innocent” victims of the conflict on the agencies’ respective Instagram pages.
3Arts Entertainment also released a statement, saying, “We stand proudly with the people of Israel defending against the inhuman, genocidal goals of Hamas, and the raging fire of racism and anti-semitism.”
A number of celebrities have also condemned the Hamas attacks, including Dwayne Johnson, Natalie Portman, Floyd Mayweather, Seth Meyers, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Amy Schumer.
Israel has been under attack since Hamas’ surprise ambush on October 7, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza. Not since the Holocaust has there been a massacre of Jews this large. At least 1,200 people have died in Israel, including at least 22 U.S. citizens, and more than 100 civilians have been kidnapped and held hostage. On-the-ground reports have included gruesome details such as children being “butchered” in front of their parents, babies being beheaded and women being raped next to the slain bodies of their friends. A peace music festival was ambushed by Hamas, killing at least people.
President Joe Biden has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has expressed unwavering support for Israel as it now retaliates in Gaza where at least 1,100 people have died.
On Wednesday, during an MSNBC segment, commentator Donny Deutsch slammed Hollywood for its silence.
“I don’t understand the silence from Hollywood. I don’t understand the silence from corporate America,” he said. “I don’t understand the silence from the academics. And I don’t understand the silence from so many politicians.”