A Call to Action for Israeli Hostages

In a bold move, over 50 celebrities have come together to sign an open letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to prioritize the safe return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The letter, spearheaded by comedian Chelsea Handler, actress Connie Britton, and Bravo's Andy Cohen, emphasizes the importance of protecting and supporting Israel during the ongoing war. The letter highlights the devastating impact of the conflict, particularly the brutal murder of six Israeli hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The remaining 101 hostages have been held captive for nearly a year, since Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October 2023. The list of signatories is a who's who of Hollywood stars, including actors Mayim Bialik, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Patricia Heaton, reality TV personalities Jill Zarin and Margaret Joseph, and social media influencers Ariel Martin and Montana Tucker. The letter was organized by four Jewish advocacy groups: StopAntisemitism, End Jew Hatred, 2024 New Voices, and StandWithUs.

"We are approaching one year since 251 hostages were brutally stolen from their lives and 1200 were murdered. It is crucial to keep the spotlight on this," said Samantha Ettus, founder of 2024 New Voices. "Our celebrities have come together to draw attention to the 101 hostages remaining in Gaza, including five Americans. After the brutal execution of six hostages, the urgency of getting the world to talk about this is now. We need to put as much pressure as possible on Hamas to return the hostages." The letter comes as the US response to the Israel-Hamas war continues to divide the entertainment industry. While some stars have spoken out against the conflict, others have remained silent or even taken a stance against the Israeli government.

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