Celebrities, like Gal Gadot, Sonam Kapoor, Gigi Hadid, and Dwayne Johnson, have taken to social media to express their support for Israel in the wake of the country’s declaration of war against Hamas in response to the attack by Palestinian terrorists this weekend. Celebrities are using their platforms to defend Israel and condemn the attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas, which claimed at least 1,000 lives.
Gigi Hadid
The ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine has been called a “unjustifiable tragedy” by supermodel Gigi Hadid, who has spoken out against it. She has backed the Palestinians in their fight and denounced the bloodshed that has resulted from the attacks. Having Palestinian ancestry herself, the 28-year-old remarked on Instagram, “I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation; it’s a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person”.
Dwayne Johnson
Actor Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as The Rock wrote, “I’m heartbroken, angry, and sickened by the brutal murders and kidnapping of Jewish people through the horrific acts of the Hamas terrorist group. The growing loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives is heart wrenching as this war escalates to immense proportions. I don’t pretend to know everything about the complex conflict in the Middle East. It commands deep understanding, context, and nuance – what I do know is hateful acts of terrorism like these are never justified. I condemn and denounce terrorism, and in this devastating moment, my heart goes out to all the innocent victims and families grieving for their lost loved ones. I pray for compassion and resolve. I pray for all innocent lives.”
Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot, an Israeli-born actress, has been one of the most outspoken public figures to criticise the current bloodshed. The Wonder Woman actress, who completed the two years of required service in the Israel Defence Forces, expressed her outrage on Instagram by stating, “I stand with Israel, you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!” She also published several Instagram Stories about the war.
Madonna
Singer Madonna termed this scuffle to be ‘devastating’. “Watching all of these families and especially children being herded, assaulted and murdered in the streets is Heartbreaking. Imagine if this was happening to you?? It’s Unfathomable,” she penned down on Instagram.
U2
U2 lead Bono wrote, “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about nonviolence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable. But our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence”. He added, “But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival”. Early morning, Oct. 7, the sun is rising in the desert sky. Stars of David, they took your life but they could not take your pride”.
Natalie Portman
Actor Natalie Portman is ‘shattered and prays for the people. “Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes,” the Black Swan actor, who was born in Israel, wrote in a statement on Instagram. She further added, “I am in horror at these barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected”.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Actor and erstwhile California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote on X, “I stand with my Israeli friends in the face of these unprovoked, barbaric terrorist attacks. My heart breaks when I turn on the news and see this pain and suffering”.
Justin Bieber
The Canadian artist wrote, “Truly hurting for both my Israeli and Palestinian friends. I’m pretty sure we all instinctively know evil when we see it. To villainise all Palestinians or all Israeli people to me seems wrong. I’m not interested in choosing sides, but I am interested in standing with the families, who have been brutally taken from us”.
Josh Gad
Actor Josh Gad, who also belongs to the family of Holocaust survivors, wrote, “I have no words. I am praying for my many family members in Israel. What a cowardly act. What we are witnessing in real time right now is unprecedented since the Yom Kippur war. My heart breaks for the families of those who have lost loved ones, and for the hostages who have been taken. What a horrific day.”
Florence Pugh
Actor Florence Pugh mentioned on her Instagram Story, “It is absolutely reasonable and logical to be opposed to the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians while simultaneously calling for the protection of Jews in Israel and around the world”.
Liev Schreiber
The 56-year-old Ray Donovan actor posted a message from the anti-antisemitism group StandWithUs on his Instagram stories. The post featured an image of the Israeli flag and captioned, “Now and always, we stand with the people of Israel!” Below it she wrote, “We stand with the people of Israel and the IDF in their fight against Hamas and other terrorist groups. We hope this war ends as soon as possible, for the sake of peace”.
Sonam Kapoor
Actor Sonam Kapoor shared her views, “Violence and death doesn’t lead to anything . It just destroys any humanity that exists in us. Mahatma Gandhi Non-violence is a weapon of the strong. Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another. We may never be strong enough to be entirely nonviolent in thought, word and deed. But we must keep nonviolence as our goal and make strong progress towards it”.
Katy Perry
The musician posted a UNICEF Instagram post from the day after the incident, which had a message from the organization’s executive director pleading for peace on behalf of kids in both Israel and Palestine. “More than anything, the children of Israel and the State of Palestine need a lasting political solution to the crisis, so that they can grow up in peace and free from the shadow of violence,” the post read.
Mark Ruffalo
Actor Mark Ruffalo, took to social media to address his concern and wrote, “Concerning the tragic events unfolding in Israel and Gaza, I am grief-stricken for the unspeakable suffering and loss of life and loved ones. This horrific violence must end. I have no answers obviously, but I feel it is absolutely necessary to focus on our shared human existence and reality. The sanctity of our common humanity will hopefully serve to heal the unimaginable wounds of division.”
