American actress Susan Sarandon (right) and Mexican actress Melissa Barrera (Getty Images)

The Israeli war on Gaza has sharply divided Hollywood, which has always been known for its unity in the political sphere and the ability of its stars and senior employees to express the vast majority of its members in various professions.

The division has reached the point of firing "dissent" people and boycotting those who express a stance against the Israeli bombing of Gaza, at a time when supporters of Israel are also under harsh criticism, especially from social media audiences.

Hollywood had shown its unity during the years of former US President Donald Trump's rule, which was often ironic and sometimes serious, but the changes that have occurred over the past weeks have confirmed a radical change in the scene, according to the British newspaper "The Times".

Condemnation of massacres and punishment

The exclusion of Mexican actress Melissa Barrera from starring in the film "Scream 7" last Tuesday was not the first of its kind in terms of punishing those who declared solidarity with Gaza, as she was preceded by Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandón, who was excluded by the agency "AUT" - the most prominent business management agency in the capital of world cinema - and canceled her contract against the background of her stance in support of the Palestinian people.

Mexican actress Melissa Barrera excluded from starring in "Crim 7" because of her support for victims in Gaza (Shutterstock)

According to the American magazine "Variety", the company "Spyglass" producing the film justified by saying "Barrera was fired for showing her support for the Palestinian cause."

A spokesperson for the company issued a statement published by the magazine saying, "Our position is unequivocally clear, we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, distortion of the Holocaust or anything that blatantly suggests that it is hate speech."

American actress Susan Sarandon joined the list of artists who have been harmed because of their positions in support of the Palestinian cause, as Newsweek magazine confirmed that the talent agency "UTA" canceled its contract with the Oscar-winning actress on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, after working on managing her business since 2014.

Sarandon participated in a demonstration that included thousands in the streets of New York City on Friday, November 18, during which banners were raised demanding an end to the war on Gaza, and said in a statement to the site "Deadline" during the demonstration that "there are many people who taste the feeling of being a Muslim at this time, and in this country."

Sarandon also took to social media to express her support for Palestine, writing and sharing posts on the X platform (formerly Twitter) and reposting a statement by British musician Roger Waters of the band "Pink Floyd" in which he supported the Palestinians and demanded an end to the bombing of Gaza.

The 77-year-old actress faced previous calls for exclusion after she reposted a photo of herself on stage in early November at the #March4Palestine protest in Washington, D.C., and wrote alongside a photo with members of the Palestinian Feminist Gathering, "You don't have to be Palestinian to care about what's happening in Gaza. I stand with Palestine. No one is free until everyone is free."

Sarandon participated with more than 2000,<> artists around the world in issuing a statement expressing their support for Palestine and the people of Gaza, stressing their condemnation of the crimes committed by Israel, accusing governments of helping Israel commit war crimes in Gaza, and demanding an end to military and political support for Israel. These artists include William Cunningham, John Cusack, Tilda Swinton, Charles Dance, Steve Cogan, Peter Mulan, Maxine Beck and Miriam Margolis.

For the same reason, Maha Dakhil, one of the most senior agents at the CAA, lost her position, knowing that she is directly responsible for managing the business of American star Tom Cruise, who intervened to limit the damage.

Dakhil was attacked following an Instagram post in which she said: "What is more heartbreaking than watching the genocide? We are seeing genocide denial."

Dakhil was relieved of her duties as co-head of the motion picture division, despite being allowed to remain an agent, as Cruz warned the agency and said he supported it in limiting damage, before visiting her at her acting office on November 15.

A group of agency employees threatened to withdraw because of the agency's treatment of Maha Dakhil, especially since she was on the verge of expulsion had it not been for Cruz's intervention, and in return some customers, who complained internally about Dakhil's publications, were disappointed, believing that she should have been fired. Separately.

The American Writers' Guild (WGA West) was heavily criticized for not declaring a sympathetic stance with Israel against Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, especially after Meredith Steam, the union's president, announced that no statement would be issued condemning Hamas, because "many members asked us to abstain" and because "consensus is elusive."

Kill them all.

On the other hand, American actor and producer James Woods issued a new statement against the residents of the Gaza Strip, saying in a post on the "X" platform, "No to a ceasefire. No to the truce. No forgiveness," he said, using the hashtag "kill them all", the same one he was known to support former US President Donald Trump during his years in office, contrary to the vast majority in Hollywood.

American actor and producer James Woods is one of Israel's biggest supporters in Hollywood (Getty Images)

Actress Gal Gadot, the protagonist of the film "Wonder Woman", is addressing the promotion of Tel Aviv's position in Hollywood, and she organized a 47-minute video show of the battles on October 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, USA, and invited 120 senior Hollywood celebrities, including actors, actresses, producers and executives to attend.

Gadot was co-organized by Oscar-winning director Guy Nativ, and Gadot did not attend the event she organized, and the square outside the Museum of Tolerance, where the show witnessed clashes between different groups, in the presence of a number of Israeli officials, including Tel Aviv's ambassador to America, Michael Herzog.

Director Quentin Tarantino visited an IDF unit for moral support and took memorial photos with them.

The same split emerged in Britain's Equity Actors Association, which has about 47,<> members. The union came under fire after issuing a statement accusing Israel of carrying out "bombing, occupation and apartheid." She said its members feared censorship for expressing concerns about the conflict, and that they were calling on the UK government to "stand up against genocide".

Source : Al Jazeera + Agencies