Very slow response
What took so long? Well, SAG-AFTRA union members are on strike, you know, so they’ve been busy walking picket lines and holding up signs. Or something. It was hard to find a few minutes to publicly condemn the war that Hamas has begun with Israel.
So, six days after Hamas animals entered Israel and beheaded babies, murdered children as they slept in their beds, raped and murdered women, and dragged elderly Israelis out of their homes and murdered them, not to mention the innocent people that were taken hostage, SAG-AFTRA released a statement.
“SAG-AFTRA deplores and condemns the horrific acts of aggression against the Israeli people on Oct. 7,” bluntly said the 160,000-member strong guild Friday.
“The attack was a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity,” the guild added. “There is no justification for the murder and kidnapping of civilians. We mourn the loss of life and urge the safe return of those who are missing and held hostage.
“We stand united against hatred and violence and pray for peace.”
Perhaps our left coast elite betters realized a ground war is now imminent so the window of time to make a meaningful statement is closing.
To its credit, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) put out a statement on October 11. It was one of the first Hollywood groups and studios to offer their support for Israel.
“The DGA unequivocally condemns terrorism and joins the many voices in our community decrying the recent Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and violence against innocent civilians,” the union said this week. “We stand against the growing spread of antisemitism here in the U.S. and abroad, and remain committed in our actions, words and deeds to supporting the Jewish people.”
That is a better, stronger statement than the one by SAG-AFTRA, in my opinion. YMMV.
Other big shots in the entertainment industry weighed in with their condemnation after the DGA led the way.
Preceded by remarks from MRC on October 10, the DGA’s declaration soon was followed by a joint statement from the likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Haim Saban, UTA co-founder Jim Berkus, CAA’s Chris Silbermann, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Paramount’s Brian Robbins and many more.
