Many of Hollywood's elite want to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Gaza strip. More than 200 actors, directors and producers have signed a statement condemning the actions of Hamas against both Israelis and Palestinians.
Seth Rogen, Sylvester Stallone, Mayim Bialik and many others have all signed the statement from Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel activist group. The organization brings together creators of movies, music and TV shows, along with their fans, to support the single-democratic nation in the Middle East.
"While we stand firm in our commitment to peace and justice, we must also stand firm against ideologies of hatred and genocide which are reflected in Hamas' charter," the group wrote.
The statement strictly calls out Hamas, and not the Palestinian citizens caught in the crossfire.
"Hamas cannot be allowed to rain rockets on Israeli cities, nor can it be allowed to hold its own people hostage. Hospitals are for healing, not for hiding weapons. Schools are for learning, not for launching missiles. Children are our hope, not our human shields," the statement reads.
The Palestinian militant movement, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, is one of two political factions in the territory. They control much of the Gaza Strip, while rival party Fatah has asserted its authority over the West Bank, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Creative Community for Peace director Lana Melman distributed the letter on Saturday. Entertainment lawyers Fred Toczek and Patti Felker started the campaign, according to Variety.
Actor Jon Voight wrote a pro-Israel op-ed for Variety earlier this month. He called out fellow actors Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz for their anti-Israel open letters, published in a Spanish newspaper Europa Press.
"I am heartsick that people like Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem could incite anti-Semitism all over the world and are oblivious to the damage they have caused," Voight wrote.
Bardem and Cruz later issued statements clarifying their positions. The husband and wife both expressed their wish for peace in the region.
