Israeli Terror Attacks in the Spotlight: Tension and Controversy in Hollywood
Just four days after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, WME extended a warm welcome to Rabbi Steve Leder from Wilshire Boulevard Temple to offer solace to the agency’s staff members who were deeply affected by what has been termed the most devastating assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Although the gathering wasn’t mandatory, Leder’s address leaned toward secularism but resulted in some staff members expressing discontent, prompting their concerns to reach the ears of WME co-chairmen Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead. In a bold move to address the discontent, WME invited Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt to address the agency on Nov. 1. Greenblatt didn’t hold back, criticizing the Writers Guild of America for their reluctance to speak out following the Hamas attacks.
Across the city, CAA, the agency’s rival, found itself in the midst of a crisis. Maha Dakhil, a top agent, sparked a firestorm due to her Instagram posts, including one that notably stated, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.” This led to Dakhil being removed from her role as co-chief of the motion pictures department at CAA, albeit allowed to continue as an agent, largely due to the strong support from her key client, Tom Cruise. Cruise went as far as personally meeting with Dakhil at her CAA office to show his unwavering support.
However, the turmoil did not cease there. A group of CAA assistants was reportedly on the verge of staging a walkout in protest against the treatment of Dakhil, though they ultimately backed down. Simultaneously, there were internal complaints about Dakhil’s posts and the belief that her employment should have been terminated. CAA also cut ties with an employee and two clients due to their incendiary anti-Israeli social media posts.
These instances reflect a broader trend of terminations, blame-placing, and feelings of betrayal across Hollywood as the industry grapples with the intense emotions stirred by the violent events in the Middle East. From industry leaders to ordinary workers, there is growing outrage over the adversarial rhetoric surrounding Israel and the lack of solidarity, even with approximately 240 hostages held by Hamas. There exists a division among those who align with the Palestinian cause, portraying Israel as the aggressor, and those who stand in solidarity with Israel. This rift is especially notable as Hollywood’s history has been marked by a cohesive stance on political matters.
According to Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who spoke to Variety, the industry has been swift to elevate crucial causes, such as Black Lives Matter and Time’s Up, but the crises concerning Israel have prompted unfair accusations against the country, such as allegations of ‘apartheid’ or ‘genocide’, as well as praise for actions by Hamas terrorists.
Artists and celebrities expressing their opinions on Israel, such as Melissa Barrera, have faced consequences, such as being quietly dropped from projects or facing public backlash over their social media posts. The use of the word “genocide” in relation to Israel has been a particularly contentious issue in Hollywood, as demonstrated by the reactions to past statements by Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem. The Hollywood schism, in response to this crisis, is expected to deepen, according to Robert Newman, a WME agent, leading to further division and conflict.
This hostile landscape has spilled over into Hollywood agents’ WhatsApp chains, where instances of perceived antisemitism in the industry have been shared. Despite the controversy, Maha Dakhil appears to be conducting a ‘Jewish listening tour’ following her meetings with Jonathan Greenblatt and Rabbi Steve Leder, causing some to feel exploited, as reported in a New York Post story.
As conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to enflame Hollywood, CAA, as well as UTA, have taken decisive action by cutting ties with individuals accused of making antisemitic statements. However, the ongoing divide is proving to be an immensely challenging issue, causing anxiety around Hollywood’s alignment with political causes. The gravity of the situation is becoming increasingly visible, as celebrities and industry figures continue to express their stances on the ongoing conflict.
