Israel is in the fight of its life against the terrorist group, Hamas, whosecharter openly states that its goal is to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Islamic state, and Hollywood Jews are out in force, passionately in support of the besieged Jewish state. Just kidding! You can hear a pin drop.
Jews in general overwhelmingly voted twice for Barack Obama, a man who is not exactly warm and fuzzy towards Israel, demonstrated by his constant snubs directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his insulting call for the return of the “1967 borders.” Meanwhile, President Obama’s appointed Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, are practically measuring drapes with Hamas.
Kerry spent last week bumbling around the Qatar and Turkey (two of Hamas’ best allies and Israel’s biggest antagonists), effectively mucking up a ceasefire that was being brokered by Egypt. Kerry’s own proposal was so one sided that it prompted Charles Krauthammer to assert that Kerry was acting “essentially as the lawyer for Hamas.” A few weeks ago, Kerry was caught on a hot mic bitterlymocking claims by Israel that its forces operate with “pinpoint precision.” And how can we forget Kerry’s appalling reference to Israel as “an apartheid state, like the old South Africa”?
Nancy Pelosi daftly referred to Hamas as a “humanitarian organization” because, well, the Qataris told her so. (In fairness, Pelosi may have still been under the affects from her latest round of Botox injections.)
And while there will always be Hollywood lefties who are flagrantly anti-Israel, such as Roger Waters, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, John Legend, Madonna, Vanessa Redgrave, and Emma Thompson, to name a few, it’s still hard to fathom that even the most leftist of Hollywood Jew is not speaking out in support of Israel. Most American Jews are well aware of the nature of the enemy Israel faces–evil, steadfast, brutal, malicious. Yet given all this, and the fact that Israel itself is a nation of extraordinary moral and political achievements, you would think that Hollywood Jews would naturally be supportive of the Jewish state in its war against Hamas. But you would be wrong.
Where are the Hollywood heavyweights such as Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Barbra Streisand, Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and David Geffen? Their silence is deafening.But can they make a difference? Of course. Look at the wonders they did helping Obama get elected.
Radio talk show host and Truth Revolt founder, Ben Shapiro said: “The vast majority of Jews in Hollywood do not care about Israel. Jewishness in Hollywood is merely a cultural hallmark, allowing you to make Holocaust jokes and avoid being labeled part of the xenophobic white majority. Jewishness in Hollywood has to do with bagels, lox, and half-days on Yom Kippur before brunch. Bashing Mel Gibson is an easy way to reinforce cultural Jewishness.”
But there is a tiny glimmer of hope. A few Jews in Hollywood have bravely taken steps away from their leftist counterparts and have spoken out in favor of Israel. Here are a few examples:
Radio host and known Democrat Howard Stern went offon a belligerent caller saying: “If you’re anti-Israel, then you’re anti-America. It’s the only democracy over there. It’s the only friend we have who’s willing to fight and stand up for what’s right.”
Joan Rivers went on an epic rantunleashing an impassioned defense of Israel which included an awesome New York/New Jersey analogy. Riversdoubled down on Howard Stern’s show a few days later. Asked by Stern why more celebrities are not speaking out in favor of Israel’s cause, Rivers lamented: “Because there is anti-Semitism all over the world and it breaks my heart.”
Self-proclaimed Socialist Rosanne Barr has taken to twitter in support of Israel. Saturday she tweeted a link to a history of anti-Semitism. Even Atheist and lefty favorite, Bill Maher jumped into the fray and said (on sending John Kerry to Israel): “Haven’t They Suffered Enough?” He also said : “It’s A War That Hamas Started; People Die In Wars.” Talk about strange bedfellows.
Unfortunately the overall support for Israel in Hollywood is few and far.
Perhaps we need to put our hope into the next generation – that is if we can ever convince these aging hippies who are currently running Hollywood, the media, the college campuses and our county, to retire on the golf course or their yachts.
On a personal note, my 18 year old niece, Savannah, recently traveled to Israel for the first time on a 10-day trip sponsored by Birthright Israel. Savannah, who was raised by a Catholic father and a Jewish mother, was not immersed in either religion. Savannah is a second year student at Chapman University with plans to work in the entertainment industry upon graduation. Savannah is your typical teenager – not into world events or politics – but she was curious to learn more about her Jewish heritage and explore a foreign country. And hey, the trip was free!
Savannah got more than she bargained for. While in Israel, Hamas began bombing. She spent two nights in a bomb shelter before returning to CA. But the change in her is remarkable. Savannah said of her trip:
“One of the highlights was getting to know a few IDF soldiers who are my age. After spending time with the soldiers, I gained a deeper understanding as to why Israel has the right to defend itself against militant terrorist groups – which is what Hamas is. I understand now that the only way for Israel and Palestine to live in peace is for the Palestinian people to reject Hamas. Until that happens, I fear there will be no peace.”
Could Savannah follow in Anita Gunn’s footsteps and become a right-winging Hollywood Insider? An aunt can dream…
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