Three Years After October 7: Celebrities Who Support Palestine and the Price They Pay

WEB DESK: On October 7, 2023, Israel began a military assault on the Gaza Strip in response to an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas. Three years later, the war has left tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruins, and its effects have also spread into the entertainment world. Many celebrities who support Palestine have spoken out, and several say it has cost them work, brand deals or friendships. At the same time, hundreds of other Hollywood figures publicly backed Israel after the Hamas attack, which shows how divided the industry remains.

Background: What Happened on October 7 and After

The war began when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials say about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage to Gaza. Israel then launched a large air and ground campaign, and a US-backed ceasefire came into effect on October 10, 2025.

According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, and the UN says that over 21,000 of them are children. Violence has continued even after the ceasefire, and key parts of the peace plan, including reconstruction and disarmament, remain unresolved. Many UN experts, human rights groups and governments have described Israel’s conduct as genocide, while Israel strongly rejects that charge and says it is fighting Hamas.

Details: Who Has Spoken Out, and What It Cost

Over the past three years, many artists have joined protests, raised money and made statements on stage. The best-known recent case is rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after saying “Free Palestine” at concerts in New Jersey. He later announced his own European shows, which sold out within hours, and pledged $1 million from his tour earnings to six aid organisations. Several other acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, left the Sheeran tour in solidarity.

Others have described similar costs. Actress Melissa Barrera was fired from a film franchise after posts about Gaza, and her on-screen sister Jenna Ortega, who has also spoken up for Palestinians, left the project soon afterwards. Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon was dropped by her talent agency after speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally. Model Bella Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, has said that brands stopped working with her, and an Adidas advertisement featuring her was pulled after pressure from pro-Israel groups.

Many more names have been linked to the cause. ThePrint noted a list with more than 500 names that includes Billie Eilish, Finneas, Ariana Grande, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Ayo Edebiri, Anoushka Shankar, Andrew Garfield, Bradley Cooper and Cynthia Erivo. A benefit concert called Together for Palestine also raised £1.5 million. Among men, women and non-Hollywood artists, the support has come in many forms, including donations, benefit shows and posts on social media.

Quotes: What Artists and Experts Said

Macklemore wrote that, whatever people disagree about, “Palestinian lives are worth protecting,” and he asked New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation. His comments were widely shared, and many fans praised him for speaking out despite the loss of a major stage.

Public relations expert Nicolas Vanderbiest told AFP, soon after the war began, that celebrities who take sides have “a lot to lose and little to gain.” That view has been repeated often, as artists on both sides of the debate have faced criticism, boycotts and online abuse.

Impact: A Divided Industry and a Wider Debate

The reaction in Hollywood has never been one-sided. Days after the Hamas attack, more than 700 entertainment figures signed an open letter organised by the non-profit Creative Community for Peace, condemning Hamas and calling for the return of the hostages. Signatories included Gal Gadot, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Mark Hamill and Mayim Bialik. Some of those who support Israel have also described facing criticism for their views.

The result is that celebrities who support Palestine or Israel often see a strong response from both sides. Supporters say that artists have a moral duty to speak up, while critics argue that entertainers should not take political sides or that some statements go too far. Many people search for lists of Hollywood actors, Indian celebrities, male and female stars, or pro-Palestine actors and actresses, but such lists are changing all the time and should be checked against current statements.

The debate has also moved beyond Hollywood. It raises questions about free speech at work, the power of brands and venue owners, and how public figures are held to account for their views. With the Israeli election due on October 27, the conflict is likely to remain in the headlines.

Conclusion: What to Expect Next

As the war enters its fourth year, with the ceasefire fragile and the humanitarian situation still serious, more artists are likely to continue speaking out, and so are those who support Israel. Concerts, awards seasons and film festivals may again become places for political statements.

For artists and companies, the main question is how to deal with the pressure. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who are the 700 celebrities who support Israel?

The “700 celebrities” refers to an open letter released on October 12, 2023, by the non-profit Creative Community for Peace, which was signed by more than 700 entertainment figures. The letter condemned the Hamas attack, called for the return of hostages and urged the industry to speak out against Hamas. Among the signatories reported by The Hollywood Reporter, TheWrap and others were Gal Gadot, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Mark Hamill, Zachary Levi, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Jason Alexander and Howie Mandel. The signatories also included executives, and Saban Entertainment founder Haim Saban gave a statement. The list covers a mix of actors and industry leaders, and it represents the views of those who signed, not of all of Hollywood.

Does Zendaya support Gaza?

Zendaya has made very few public statements about the war. Reports say that in October 2023, she shared an Instagram post that supported humanitarian relief for Gaza’s children and included a link to a charity. Some online posts have described this as support for Palestine, while others have criticised her for not saying more, and there has been a lot of unverified content on social media. She has not been listed among the signatories of the major open letters on either side that were reported in the sources checked. Because there is a lot of rumour online, readers should rely on her official social media accounts and statements from reliable news outlets rather than edited clips or screenshots.

Which artists are supporting Palestine?

Many artists and public figures have expressed support for Palestinians or called for a ceasefire since 2023. They include rapper Macklemore, models Bella and Gigi Hadid, actors Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, and musicians such as Billie Eilish and Finneas. ThePrint also named Ariana Grande, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Ayo Edebiri, Anoushka Shankar, Andrew Garfield, Bradley Cooper and Cynthia Erivo among the names on a widely shared list. Irish group Kneecap and the band Bob Vylan have also spoken out. The forms of support differ: some signed letters, some gave money, and some spoke at concerts or protests. Because positions can change, check recent statements before naming anyone.