Hollywood elite sign statement condemning Hamas

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Nearly 200 Hollywood elite from actors to directors to studio heads has signed a statement condemning Hamas, as its conflict with Israel continues.

“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,” read the statement signed by members of the Creative Community for Peace and posted on its website on Saturday.

The statement will appear as an ad in Hollywood publications including Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

The statement also said that the signatories “are saddened by the devastating loss of life endured by Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza. We are pained by the suffering on both sides of the conflict and hope for a solution that brings peace to the region.”

Among those signing the document are: Aaron Sorkin, Sylvester Stallone, Roseanne Barr, Sherry Lansing, Seth Rogen and Kathy Ireland.

The statement follows several comments, including on Twitter and Facebook, by Hollywood figures, in support of Gaza and the Palestinians.