Hollywood’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the 96th Academy Awards

Several Hollywood celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, Ava DuVernay, Mahershala Ali, Quannah Chasinghorse, Finneas O’Connell, comedian Ramy Youssef, and actor-comedian Rami Malek, wore red pins at the Academy Awards to signify support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The pins symbolized advocacy for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. This act came amid a season where many stars have avoided drawing attention to the conflict. [nytimes.com, Al Jazeera, Mako, israelhayom.co.il, 13tv.co.il, mako.co.il]

Artists4Ceasefire, responsible for distributing the pins, counted more than 380 signatures from celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Affleck, urging President Biden to push for a ceasefire. Rami Malek described the pin as standing for “Artists for Peace”, with over 400 signatories for the cause. [nytimes.com, Al Jazeera, israelhayom.co.il, mako.co.il]

The film “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan and featuring Cillian Murphy, surpassed one billion dollars at the box office and was awarded Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards from a record 13 nominations. “Poor Things” also saw significant success, winning four categories including Best Actress for Emma Stone. [AP News, now14.co.il]

Outside the Dolby Theatre, protests related to the Gaza conflict took place, involving organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace and SAG-AFTRA Members for a Ceasefire. The protests focused on the Israeli military’s actions in Rafah and raised concerns of genocide and famine. Security forces were on alert for potential disruptions tied to anti-war demonstrations. [AP News, Al Jazeera, Mako]

Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest”, won Best International Film, marking the first occasion a British film won this Oscar. Glazer’s acceptance speech highlighted the need to end the conflict, emphasizing that Judaism and the Holocaust should not be associated with the war. [AP News, The Guardian, Mako, 13tv.co.il, mako.co.il]

The red badge initiative faced criticism, with some suggesting it accidentally symbolized the lynching of two reservists killed in Ramallah in 2000, triggering backlash for making a political statement on the ceasefire in Gaza. [Al Jazeera, israelhayom.co.il]

Anat Fabricant, partner of Ynon Kreiz, showed support for Israel at the Oscars, counterbalancing criticisms of Hollywood’s perceived negligence towards Israel’s predicament with the captives’ issue. Israeli representative Noa Tishby voiced disappointment with the ceremony’s perceived promotion of Hamas’s agenda. [13tv.co.il, mako.co.il]

Elon Musk criticized the Oscars and “woke” culture, suggesting that the award has become part of a “woke” competition that potentially undermines the recognition of true merit within Hollywood. Musk has previously expressed his opposition to American political correctness and DEI, which he has termed as a form of racism. [Mako.co.il]