The lack of a public statement condemning the attack by Hamas comes just weeks after the Writers Guild of America ended a month-long strike and demonstrated solidarity by voting overwhelmingly in favor of a new contract with major entertainment companies. There is a fight going on in the union regarding this. Israel.
A group of screenwriters on October 15, eight days after the attack signed an open letter The Writers Guild was asked why it did not issue a statement condemning the attack. He noted that other major Hollywood unions had issued similar statements. The letter now has more than 300 signatories, including Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Sherman-Palladino (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Gideon Raff (“Homeland”).
It raised questions about why the Writers Guild had previously made public comments in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the #MeToo reckoning, but remained silent “when terrorists attacked Israel to murder, rape and kidnap Jews”.
On Friday, 75 guild members took part in a Zoom meeting to discuss what to do about the silence. According to a person who participated in the discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity because of its delicate nature, options included withholding dues until the guild leadership could have a proper dialogue on the issue with its membership. Would have called. Other members are considering resigning from the guild by applying for Financial Corps status, in which they would pay less dues and still receive the contractual benefits of the collective bargaining agreement.
Later Friday, Writers Guild of America West President Meredith Stiehm sent an email to members who had inquired about the lack of response. “Like the membership, the board’s viewpoints differ, and we found consensus out of reach,” he wrote in the letter, which was seen by The New York Times. “For these reasons, we have decided not to comment publicly.”
Calls to the union on Monday were not answered.
Jewish leaders have encouraged Hollywood’s biggest voices to speak out in favor of Israel.
Jonathan Greenblatt, director of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote in an opinion article, “When celebrities speak out, it sends an important message to their millions of followers that this is the right side.” Published in The Hollywood Reporter,
He added, “Given how much social media algorithms can distort the world, it is even more important to eliminate these voices.”
The writers’ union isn’t the only Hollywood organization dealing with fallout.
On Sunday, Creative Artists Agency announced to its employees that Maha Dakhil, the highest-ranking female agent at the motion picture group, has resigned from the company’s internal board and from her leadership role within the motion picture group after posting inflammatory comments. Going away. Accused Israel of committing genocide on Instagram.
Ms Dakhil has apologized for her comments. She will continue to represent her clients, which include Natalie Portman, Tom Cruise and Reese Witherspoon, according to an email sent by Brian Lourd, the agency’s chief executive, which was reviewed by the Times.
