Simmering Conflict in Hollywood Over Israel

Abstract: 

The summer’s bloodletting in the Gaza Strip has stopped, but the discourse on war that Israel’s assault sparked in the U.S. rages on. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Hollywood, where celebrity criticism of Israel led to recriminations from pro-Israel stars and threats to blacklist those who spoke out against the military operation. The entertainment industry is splitting over Israel in the wake of that state’s punishing attack on Palestinians in Gaza.

The latest salvo comes courtesy of Creative Communities for Peace. Created in 2011 by music industry executives, CCFP, funded in part by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, has worked hard in recent years to blunt the impact of celebrity calls to boycott Israel.