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Actors Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jerry O\u2019Connell, Anthony Edwards and over 1,200 more entertainment figures signed an open letter<\/a> opposing efforts to boycott Israeli film institutions. More than 1,200 names from across the entertainment industry signed on to the Sept. 25 letter.<\/p>\n The open letter was circulated by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) in response to a pledge from many prominent actors, musicians and entertainment executives under the banner of \u201cFilm Workers for Palestine<\/a>\u201d (FWFP). Their letter that calls on artists to cut ties with Israeli film and television companies, productions, festivals, and institutions. Organizers of the boycott say it is meant to hold Israel accountable. The number of people who signed FWFP pledge has grown from 1,300 to over 5,000 signatures since it was released on Sept. 8.<\/p>\n CCFP describes itself as a nonprofit of entertainment professionals working to build bridges through the arts, raise awareness about antisemitism in the industry, and oppose cultural boycotts of Israel. Its Anti-Boycott petition has drawn more than 47,000 signatures.<\/p>\n CCFP\u2019s origins took shape in 2011 when David Renzer, then chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, was in Tel Aviv for a recording session as artists including Elvis Costello began canceling Israel shows. Around the same time, Pink Floyd\u2019s Roger Waters published an op-ed in The Guardian calling for a cultural boycott. By 2012, Renzer and Steve Schnur, president of Music for Electronic Arts, founded CCFP precisely for moments like these.<\/p>\n The list of supporters of the Sept. 25 CCFP letter also includes musicians Gene Simmons, Matisyahu, the lead singer of Disturbed, David Draiman, and Regina Spektor also signed on. Former Paramount chief Sherry Lansing, Saban Entertainment founder Haim Saban, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, and Universal Music Enterprises President Bruce Resnikoff also added their names.<\/p>\n On Sept. 12, Paramount Studios went on record opposing the FWFP boycott<\/a> pledge, stating, \u201cwe need more engagement, not less.\u201d On Aug. 12, the Toronto International Film Festival canceled<\/a> a screening of the Israeli documentary, \u201cThe Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue\u201d after boycott pressure; after a public outcry, the film was then reinstated<\/a> two days later. The film won the festival\u2019s People\u2019s Choice Award. And in Israel, \u201cThe Sea,\u201d a feature film about a Palestinian boy visiting Tel Aviv for the first time, took home the Ophir Award for Best Feature, even though the Israel Film Fund that backed it was singled out by boycott organizers.<\/p>\n For CCFP, the concern is that what may look like political protest, functions as exclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement presents itself as a social justice movement to those in the West, it is actually a political movement that seeks the defamation, delegitimization and eventual elimination of the State of Israel,\u201d CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel said. He called Israel\u2019s film and television sector \u201ca vibrant hub of collaboration between Jewish and Palestinian artists and filmmakers, who work closely together every single day.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWhile the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement presents itself as a social justice movement to those in the West, it is actually a political movement that seeks the defamation, delegitimization and eventual elimination of the State of Israel,\u201d \u2013 Ari Ingel<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Saban described storytelling as a way to build understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cExcluding Israeli filmmakers because of their identity betrays that mission and undermines efforts for peace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Messing was more blunt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen artists boycott fellow artists based solely on their country of origin, it is blatant discrimination and a betrayal of our role as storytellers,\u201d Messing said. \u201cHistory shows us that boycotts against Jews have long been a tool of authoritarian regimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Bialik argued the pledge to not work with Israelis misses the point.<\/p>\n \u201cBoycotting filmmakers, studios, production companies and individuals \u2014 simply because they are Israeli \u2014 fuels division and contributes to a disturbing culture of marginalization. \u2026 This boycott pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home or help curb the alarming rise of antisemitism globally.\u201d<\/p>\n De Mornay said Israel is treated with a different standard than other nations about a \u201cwar that it didn\u2019t start.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that \u201cfilm institutions engage with countries all over the world, including those with serious controversies \u2026 Yet Israel alone is singled out and condemned \u2014 for defending itself in a war it didn\u2019t start, for trying to free hostages still being held, and for confronting an enemy still intent on its destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter framed the pledge as part of a history of efforts to discriminate against Jewish participation in entertainment and culture.<\/p>\n \u201cHistory warns us \u2026 Censorship has been used to silence filmmakers before: Nazi Germany\u2019s propaganda machine, Soviet censorship, and even Hollywood\u2019s own blacklists. Every time it was dressed up as virtue. And every time it was oppression.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement claims that Israeli institutions are often the \u201cloudest critics\u201d of Israeli government policy and are not afraid to make content that bemoans state actions. Supporters argue that boycotting Israelis would not challenge the Israeli government and will instead stifle dissent.<\/p>\n It concludes with a call to colleagues to resist the boycott push.<\/p>\n \u201cWe call on all our colleagues in the entertainment industry to reject this discriminatory and antisemitic boycott call that only adds another roadblock on the path to peace.\u201d<\/p>\n On Oct. 19, CCFP will be hosting their seventh-annual Ambassadors of Peace<\/a> gala, where they will be honoring five individuals for their outspoken support, including actor Jerry O\u2019Connell and Universal Music Enterprises President and CEO Bruce Resnikoff.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n