Long list of celebrities ask Biden to push for Israeli hostage release

(JTA) — A strikingly long list of celebrities launched a campaign called #NoHostageLeftBehind on Monday, aimed at pressuring President Joe Biden to continue to work to secure the release of the more than 200 hostages taken captive by Hamas on October 7.

Some of the dozens of stars involved include Amy Schumer, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake, Jordan Peele, Michelle Williams, Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.

The group signed an open letter addressed to Biden, which thanks the president for his “unshakable moral conviction, leadership, and support for the Jewish people, who have been terrorized by Hamas since the group’s founding over 35 years ago, and for the Palestinians, who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza.”

The letter also mentions the four hostages that Hamas has so far released. But the note adds “our relief is tempered by our overwhelming concern that 220 innocent people, including 30 children, remain captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death.”

“We all want the same thing: Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace,” the letter continues. “Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

“We all want the same thing: Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

The letter

Voicing concerns on social media

Since the violence began on October 7, many Hollywood stars — Jewish and non-Jewish — have taken to social media to voice support for Israel and grieve the over 1,400 victims of Hamas’ attacks. Amy Schumer, who has over 13 million followers on Instagram, has been one of the most vocal, posting about the conflict more than two dozen times over the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America, which recently ended a months-long strike, said its members could not reach a consensus on issuing a statement on the attacks and their aftermath.