Why celebrities are “adopting” Israelis kidnapped by Hamas

A number of Hollywood celebrities are “adopting” people kidnapped by Hamas.

From Michael Douglas to Helen Mirren, A-listers are posting photos and information about some of the around 240 people held hostage by the militant group in Gaza.

The military arm of the Palestinian group launched an air and land attack in Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 and kidnapping others. Four of the hostages have been freed on medical grounds and one was rescued.

Israel retaliated against Hamas by launching “Operation Swords of Iron,” which has been a series of unrelenting air raids and ground operations in Gaza. More than 9,000 people have been killed since Israel began its attacks in Gaza and more than 130 in the occupied West Bank, according to The Associated Press.

While celebrities have spoken out about the war and are divided on the topic, a number have taken to social media to call for the release of the hostages. They shared the official “kidnapped” posters of individuals being held hostage with information about them, from the Instagram account Kidnapped From Israel.

The stars include Jamie Lee-Curtis, Zooey Deschanel, Andy Cohen, Brett Gelman, Dr. Phil, Skylar Astin, Howie Mandel, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Amy Schumer, Alyssa Milano, Mayim Bialik, Mandy Moore, Phil Rosenthal, Chelsea Handler, Uzo Aduba and Sharon Osbourne.

Douglas shared three photos of a mother and her two children to his Instagram.

“On October 7th, 2-year old Aviv, her 4-year old sister Raz, her mother Doron and grandmother Efrat were kidnapped from their home when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel. Aviv, Raz, their mother and grandmother are among over 229 hostages being held captive in Gaza in unknown conditions for over three weeks. Release Aviv, Raz, Doron and Efrat now!” Douglas wrote.

But one website described the celebrities’ actions as “adopting” the hostages.

Lior Zaltzman, deputy managing editor of Kveller, a Jewish parenting site, wrote by “putting out individual cries for their release,” the famous faces were thereby “adopting” the hostages.

In Hebrew, the verb “to adopt” means the same thing as in English but also refers to “hug someone or something tight, close to one’s bosom,” according to the Jerusalem Prayer Team website.

“It is actually saving a human being’s life… Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the root of this word shares the same spelling as the word o•metz which means: bravery, courage, and valor,” the website reads.

Zaltzman explained to Newsweek that she chose to use the word “adopt” because “it felt right in that instance.”

“There is something intimate in the action of taking on one face, one person, one story as your personal cause, especially from these incredibly recognizable celebrities,” she said. “But in doing this, celebrities aren’t necessarily taking ‘the side of Israel’…. a few of the celebrities in this project have called for a ceasefire and demanded humanitarian relief for Palestinians.”

Celebrities have come out either supporting either Israel or Palestinians, including a long list of stars who signed an open letter to President Joe Biden calling for the release of the hostages.

But many celebrities have also voiced their support for Palestinian people and called for a ceasefire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter.

Former adult star Mia Khalifa has been one of the most vocal, as have supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid. Singer Zara Larsson and actress Tilda Swinton have also called for a ceasefire.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by the unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict—too many of which are children,” Gigi Hadid wrote on Instagram.

“I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it’s a responsibility I hold daily. I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person.”

Swinton signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire alongside more than 4,300 people in the arts and entertainment industries.

“Our governments are not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them,” the letter read, and also condemned “every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them.”