Major Hollywood studios and CEOs are speaking out about the Israel-Hamas war, condemning the deadly attacks and standing with the Jewish community.
SAG-AFTRA is the second union in the entertainment industry to release an official response. The written statement was released on Oct. 13.
“SAG-AFTRA deplores and condemns the horrific acts of aggression against the Israeli people on Oct. 7. The attack was a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity. There is no justification for the murder and kidnapping of civilians. We mourn the loss of life and urge the safe return of those who are missing and held hostage. We stand united against hatred and violence and pray for peace.”
Paramount Global is the first major Hollywood studio to release an official statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“Paramount Global condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas. We stand with the people of Israel and the global Jewish community,” Paramount’s statement says. “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.”
Skydance Media, the production and media company behind “Top Gun: Maverick,” posted a statement earlier in the week to stand with Israel.
“Skydance stands with Israel, strongly condemns the attacks against its citizens, is donating support to the victims of this tragic act of terrorism, and prays for the safe release of innocent hostages,” the official Instagram account for David Ellison’s company posted, along with the hashtag #IStandWithIsrael.
No other studios or streamers have released official statements as of yet. Sources tell Variety that internal conversations are ongoing among top executives on how to publicly respond to the war.
However, CEOs are communicating with their staff privately, sending out memos to support Jewish staff members and speak out against the deadly events unfolding in Israel.
Variety has learned that Disney CEO Bob Iger sent a note to the company’s Shalom BERG group, which is comprised of Jewish employees across the company.
“I’ve had the chance to speak with a number of our Jewish colleagues over the past few days about the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel, and I want to reach out to this group directly to express my shock and sadness,” read Iger’s memo, exclusively obtained by Variety.
Iger’s note continued, “First, I know that many of you have loved ones in Israel, and I cannot imagine how terrifying the last few days have been seeing the brutality unfold. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all of the innocent people whose lives have been torn apart by this unspeakable violence. I speak for myself and for the entire company in condemning these attacks, the hate that motivated them, and all acts of terrorism.”
“I know that in times like these it can be easy to be overcome with despair. I feel it too, along with a profound sense of outrage, but please know that you are not alone. May the memories of loved ones lost be a comfort to us all, and may peace and love always triumph over violence and hate,” Iger wrote. “Sending strength to you all and please take care of yourselves.”
Disney’s global head of HR, Sonia Coleman, also sent a company-wide letter on behalf of senior leadership at Disney, Variety has learned. Disney also provided their employees with a list of organizations eligible for company matching.
“This weekend’s terrorist attacks targeting Jewish people in Israel were horrifying and heartbreaking,” Coleman’s letter states. “We as a company condemn hate, violence, and terrorism of any kind. Our hearts are with the victims of these attacks, their families, and all those affected by this war.”
Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav sent out a staff memo to recognize the “horrific events in Israel,” calling them “one of the deadliest in Jewish history since the Holocaust.”
“The terrorist attacks by Hamas on innocent men, women, children and babies have been unimaginable, abhorrent and inexcusable. Many have lost their lives and others have been taken hostage and remain unaccounted for,” Zaslav said in the memo, which was sent to WBD staff on Tuesday. “Our hearts break for all those whose lives have been irrevocably and senselessly impacted by these vile acts of terror. Our company’s founders believed it was their duty to shed light on injustice in the world.”
Zaslav also applauded the journalists at CNN and TVN for their coverage. “In defining moments like these, where unthinkable evil is clearly on display, we are especially grateful for the dedication and courage,” he said of the journalists, “who are on the ground in harm’s way reporting on the events in the region and bearing witness for the world and for history.”
Comcast employees also received an internal memo on Tuesday, signed by chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and president Mike Cavanagh. The executives addressed the attack on Israel, and also acknowledged the journalists at NBC News and Sky News who are covering the war.
“We are horrified and deeply saddened by the brutal attack on Israel,” Roberts and Cavanagh wrote in a memo, obtained by Variety. “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones through unspeakable acts of terrorism and the devastation of war. As these catastrophic events unfold, we are so grateful for the tireless dedication and bravery of our NBC and Sky news colleagues who are on the ground risking their lives to shine a light on this terrible conflict.”
Hollywood talent agencies are also speaking up.
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel called the Hamas attacks “one of the worst pogroms in history.” Variety hears that earlier this week, WME co-chairman Richard Weitz brought Rabbi Steve Leder from Wilshire Boulevard Temple into the agency’s offices to speak to the staff.
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 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 antisemitism.”
On Thursday, a group of Jewish 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 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.
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 Oct. 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. Hamas infiltrated a music festival near and killed at least 260 people. Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza, killing at least 1,100 people.
President Joe Biden has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has expressed unwavering support for Israel.
