Several prominent Hollywood actors and artists on Friday wrote to US President Joe Biden, urging him to press for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
Amongst the signatories were Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Stewart, Kristen Stewart, Susan Sarandon, Mahershala Ali, Riz Ahmed, Hasan Minhaj, Ramy Youssef, and Quinta Brunson.
Hamas attacked Israel on 7 Oct, killing 1,400 people and taking about 200 hostages.
Since then, Israel has bombed Gaza and killed over 4,100 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
“We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honor 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,” the celebrities wrote to Biden.
It added, “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. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them.”
The nearly 60 signatories also included Susan Sarandon, Quinta Brunson, Fatima Farheen Mirza, Hend Sabry, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, and Channing Tatum, among others.
The statement, distributed by the organization Artists 4 Ceasefire, also included a comment from UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, emphasizing the devastation inflicted on the population of Gaza by ongoing Israeli air strikes and blockades on water and power.
"Children and families in Gaza have practically run out of food, water, electricity, medicine and safe access to hospitals, following days of air strikes and cuts to all supply routes," Elder's statement read. "Gaza's sole power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday afternoon, shutting down electricity, water and wastewater treatment. Most residents can no longer get drinking water from service providers or household water through pipelines.... The humanitarian situation has reached lethal lows, and yet all reports point to further attacks. Compassion -- and international law -- must prevail."
Bhumi Pednekar
