A star-studded video on behalf of Gaza featuring Billie Eilish and Joaquin Phoenix has gone viral just days after Hannah Einbinder’s “Free Palestine” Emmy speech drew outrage from the entertainment industry.
More than 30 celebrities joined the promotional clip released Wednesday morning, opening with stars saying “Palestine” in unison before individual statements supporting Palestinian causes. Brian Cox from “Succession” kicked off the messaging by declaring, “We have to tell the truth on behalf of the people of Palestine.”
British comedian Steve Coogan delivered perhaps the most direct call to action. “It’s important to speak out now, not when this is over. Right now, while it’s happening,” he said. “Pressurize your government, lend your support to those who are peacefully campaigning. Call for a ceasefire. Stop the killing.”
The video came in promotion of Wednesday night’s “Together for Palestine” benefit concert at London’s Wembley Arena, which drew a sold-out crowd of 12,500 and raised over $2 million for Palestinian humanitarian groups. Musical acts included Bastille, James Blake, and Portishead, plus Palestinian performers like DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi and singer Saint Levant. Celebrity speakers ranged from Florence Pugh and Benedict Cumberbatch to notorious anti-Israel UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
Hollywood’s descent into open hostility toward the Jewish State post-Oct. 7 was on full display this past Sunday when “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder capped her Emmy Awards acceptance speech with “Go Birds, F— ICE and free Palestine.” Backstage, she doubled down, telling reporters she felt obligated “as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the State of Israel.”
Meanwhile, over 4,000 Hollywood workers have now signed a boycott pledge targeting Israeli companies and institutions, claiming they want to “end our complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.” International film festivals have also increasingly embraced productions hostile to Israel throughout this year’s awards season. “No Other Land” took home the Oscar for best documentary by portraying counterterrorism as oppression, and “The Voice of Hind Rajab” earned a 23-minute ovation in Venice with its unsubstantiated claims against the IDF.
Still, some network executives are pushing back, with a Paramount Pictures spokesperson telling The Hollywood Reporter that “silencing Israeli filmmakers and individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace.”
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