US Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza

The conflict between Israel and Hamas is ongoing, with numerous celebrities advocating for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire. This appeal is made by a group of Hollywood insiders known as Artists4Ceasefire, and it has garnered support from prominent figures like Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera, Bassem Youssef, Jon Stewart, Dua Lipa, Hasan Minhaj, Oscar Isaac, and Michael Stipe. They are urging the Biden administration and world leaders to call for a ceasefire, end the bombing of Gaza, and ensure the safe release of hostages, particularly emphasizing the humanitarian needs of Gaza's population, including many children and refugees.

In contrast, there is another open letter signed by celebrities, including Gal Gadot, Michael Douglas, and Jerry Seinfeld, supporting Israel and opposing cultural boycotts. The Biden administration has not issued a specific response to these letters but has expressed support for Israel while also providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

The public is divided on whether celebrities should engage in political advocacy, with different opinions on the matter. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides.

Here is the Artists4Ceasefire letter and current list of signatories in full:

Dear President Biden,

We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine.

We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost. More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.

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. 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.

We believe that the United States can play a vital diplomatic role in ending the suffering and we are adding our voices to those from the US Congress, UNICEF, Doctors without Borders, The International Committee of The Red Cross, and so many others. Saving lives is a moral imperative. To echo UNICEF, "Compassion — and international law — must prevail."

As of this writing more than 6,000 bombs have been dropped on Gaza in the last 12 days - resulting in one child being killed every 15 minutes.

"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. 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." – UNICEF spokesperson James Elder

Beyond our pain and mourning for all of the people there and their loved ones around the world we are motivated by an unbending will to stand for our common humanity. We stand for freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people – and a deep desire to stop more bloodshed.

We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing. As Emergency Relief Chief Martin Griffiths told UN News, "History is watching."

Alia Shawkat

Alyssa Milano

Amanda Seales

Amber Tamblyn

America Ferrera

Andrew Garfield

Ani DiFranco

Anoushka Shankar

Aria Mia Loberti

Ayo Edebiri

Bassam Tariq

Bassem Youssef

Belly

Bonnie Wright

Caroline Polachek

Cate Blanchet

Channing Tatum

Cherien Dabis

Darius Marder

David Cross

David Oyelowo

Dev Hynes

Diplo

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Thorne

Dua Lipa

Elvira Lind

Elyanna

Farah Bsaiso

Fatima Farheen Mirza

Florence Pugh

Hasan Minhaj

Hend Sabry

Ilana Glazer

Indya Moore

James Schamus

Jeremy Strong

Jessica Chastain

Jessie Buckley

Joaquin Phoenix

Jon Stewart

Kehlani

Kristen Stewart

Macklemore

Mahershala Ali

Margaret Cho

Mark Ruffalo

May Calamawy

Michael Malarkey

Michael Moore

Michael Shannon

Michael Stipe

Michelle Wolf

Miguel

Mo Amer

Natalie Merchant

Oscar Isaac

Quinta Brunson

Rachel Sennott

Ramy Youssef

Ravena Aurora

Riz Ahmed

Rooney Mara

Rosario Dawson

Rowan Blanchard

Ryan Coogler

Sandra Oh

Sebastian Silva

Shailene Woodley

Shaka King

Simi Haze

Stephanie Suganami

Susan Sarandon

Taylour Paige

Tommy Genesis

Vic Mensa

Victoria Monét

Wallace Shawn

Wanda Sykes

Yara Shahidi