A group of 55 prominent artists and advocates in the entertainment industry have come together to address an open letter to President Joe Biden, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. The signatories include well-known names such as Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, Jon Stewart, Kristen Stewart, Susan Sarandon, Mahershala Ali, Riz Ahmed, Ramy Youssef, and Quinta Brunson.
“We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to prioritize the lives of all individuals in the Holy Land and to facilitate an immediate ceasefire – putting an end to the bombing of Gaza and ensuring the safe release of hostages,” reads the letter.
The statement, circulated by the organization Artists 4 Ceasefire, also includes a comment from UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, highlighting the devastating impact on the Gaza population caused by ongoing Israeli air strikes and blockades on resources such as water and electricity.
“Elder’s statement reads, “Children and families in Gaza have been left without basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, medicine, and access to hospitals due to days of airstrikes and disruptions to supply routes. Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday, resulting in the shutdown of electricity, water, and wastewater treatment. Most residents can no longer obtain drinking water or household water through pipelines… The humanitarian situation has reached critical levels, and yet further attacks are expected. Compassion and adherence to international law must prevail.”
Earlier this week, another letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid received support from several significant figures. Artists for Palestine UK released a statement signed by individuals such as Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes, Michael Winterbottom, Mike Leigh, and Asif Kapadia. The letter accused the British government of “not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them.”
The conflict between Israel and Gaza began on October 7 when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,400 deaths and more than 200 hostages taken. In response, the Israeli government imposed a complete siege on Gaza, as described by Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. According to the Ministry of Health of Palestine, over 3,800 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict.
During his recent visit to Israel, President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel. He announced plans to seek an unprecedented support package from the United States Congress to aid Israel’s defense. President Biden also worked with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to agree on opening Gaza’s sealed border, allowing humanitarian aid supplies to reach over two million people through 20 trucks.
To read the full statement and view the list of signatories, please refer to the original article.
