Riz Ahmed Calls for ‘End to the Indiscriminate Bombing of Gaza’s Civilians’ Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict: ‘These Are Morally Indefensible War Crimes’

Drake and Jennifer Lopez are some of the latest artists to sign an open letter calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.Adam Lambert has also joined the pair in adding his signature to the Artists4Ceasefire letter, which asks US President Joe Biden and Congress to push for the decision that would bring “an end to the bombing of Gaza”, with the aim of securing “the safe release of hostages”.The letter was signed originally by Dua Lipa, R.E.M.‘s Michael Stipe, Caroline Polachek, Killer Mike, Vic Mensa, Miguel, Kaytranada, Macklemore, as well as actors Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, John Cusack, Lena Waithe and others.Part of the letter, which was published last week, reads: “We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honour all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages.“More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”The letter continued: “Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes.

A group of French journalists has issued an open letter calling on Israel and Egypt to allow international correspondents to enter the Gaza Strip to cover the situation on the ground.

Angelina Jolie is calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Editors note: Michael Seitzman is a veteran film and TV writer and showrunner. He created the series Code Black and Intelligence and penned the Charlize Theron-starring movie North Country. In a guest column titled “Because Jews,” he shares is impassioned take on the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its reverberations around Hollywood.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent The Marrakech International Film Festival has announced its full jury, signaling that the event is forging ahead with its 20th edition despite the Israel-Hamas conflict — which has caused cancellations of several other fests in the region — and the earthquake that hit the country in September. Joining Jessica Chastain – who is the fest’s previously announced jury president – will be Iranian actor Zar Amir; French actor Camille Cottin; Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton; British director Joanna Hogg; U.S. director Dee Rees; Swedish-Egyptian director Tarek Saleh; Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård and French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer A dizzying amount of A-list Hollywood actors, comedians and entertainment executives signed an open letter to President Joe Biden on Monday, calling for the release of all hostages taken by terrorist group Hamas. Amy Schumer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chris Rock, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake and more were among the highly visible figures to sign the note, launching a formal campaign called #NoHostageLeftBehind.

Paddy Cosgrave, the CEO and cofounder of annual tech conference Web Summit, has resigned after his comments on the Israel-Hamas war led Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon to cancel their participation.

Madonna took a moment to address the current Israel-Hamas conflict while on stage at The O2, expressing her exasperation at how human beings are capable of “being so cruel to one another”.The artist urged the crowd to “remember we are human beings here” because “we cannot lose our humanity” and to make a difference by bringing “light into the world”.Madonna had addressed the conflict briefly in the early shows of her four-night run of ‘Celebration’ shows at the London arena, saying on the opening night that “watching what’s happening in Israel and Palestine” breaks her heart. On the third show on October 16, however, she expanded on her comments.“Nobody wants to see what’s happening,” she said.

It was due to take place in Paris at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre on November 5 and nominees included Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Olivia Rodrigo.Earlier this month (October 7), Hamas launched an early morning attack on southern Israel that has gone on to trigger an Israel-Hamas war.In a statement announcing the decision, a spokesperson for Paramount, who own MTV, said: “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life.“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration.

Ellise Shafer The MTV Europe Music Awards, which were set to be held in Paris on Nov. 5, are no longer going forward this year “out of an abundance of caution.” A statement from a Paramount spokesperson reads, “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life.” The statement continues, “The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music.

Qatar’s Doha Film Institute (DFI) has cancelled the 11th edition of its Ajyal Film Festival, which was due to take place from November 8 to 16, due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent The Cairo International Film Festival’s upcoming 45th edition has been canceled due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Cairo fest and market, which is the oldest running film event in the Middle East and Africa, announced its decision Wednesday on Instagram with the following statement: “Minister of Culture Dr. Neven El-Kelany has decided to postpone the 45th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival, which was scheduled to take place from Nov.

Alicia Keys found herself dealing with a whole lot of backlash this week…

More than 2,000 figures from the UK’s arts and culture world have signed an open letter calling for the immediate cessation of Israel’s blockade and bombing of Gaza.

Taylor Swift on her ‘The Eras‘ tour has returned home to rejoin the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) amid the Israel-Palestine conflict.The man, who wishes to stay anonymous, shared the update with Israel Today journalist Eran Swisa who in turn shared the news with his followers on social media [via Billboard].“I got a pretty great life back in the US,” the guard told Swisa. “I got an amazing dream job that I love, great friends that I call family and a very comfortable home.

Riz Ahmed has spoken out about the Israel-Gaza conflict in a lengthy new post on social media.Earlier this month (October 7), Hamas launched an early morning attack on southern Israel that has gone on to trigger an Israel-Hamas war. At the time of writing, 1300 Israeli citizens have died in the attacks, while Gaza’s health department says more than 2215 Palestinians have now died.Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Ahmed said: “As storytellers we out ourselves in other people’s shoes and ask audiences to go on that journey with us. The reason this works is because underneath our differences, we feel the same fear, joy, grief, and hope.

Oscar-winner Riz Ahmed has posted a plea on his social platforms for people to “urgently speak up to try to avert the loss of innocent life” amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel.

The BBC’s London headquarters have been doused in red paint, in apparent protest at the broadcaster’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Andy Burnham has released a statement on the crisis in Gaza and 'condemned without reservation the appalling attacks in Israel by Hamas'. The Mayor also said he was 'determined' that all communities in Greater Manchester would be kept safe, while also reiterating the right of the public to take part in peaceful protest.

Welcome back to Insider. It’s been a heavy few days for the world and the entertainment sector, but Jesse Whittock is here with the most important TV and film news of the past week for you.