'Erasure of art'- Mayim Bialik and Liev Schreiber amongst 1,200 signees rejecting Israeli film boycott

Mayim Bialik, along with Liev Schreiber, is among the latest to take a position in a growing number of protests and bans. These actions come as geopolitical conflicts around the world increasingly affect the entertainment landscape, in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

As per a Deadline report, Mayim Bialik and Liev Schreiber, along with 1,200 other artists, signed an open letter. The letter pleaded for artists to reconsider their current pledge to impose a ban on Israeli film institutions in response to the crisis in Gaza. The pledge currently has over 4,000 signatories who will refuse to work with Israeli institutions and companies that are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”

The subsequent letter, a direct response to the pledge, was released as a joint communication by two non-profit organizations: Creative Community for Peace and The Brigade. As per Variety, Gene Simmons, Howie Mandel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Rebecca De Mornay have also signed the pledge. It reads:

“The pledge circulated under the banner of Film Workers for Palestine is not an act of conscience. It is a document of misinformation that advocates for arbitrary censorship and the erasure of art. To censor the very voices trying to find common ground and express their humanity, is wrong, ineffective and a form of collective punishment.”

Mayim Bialik weighs in after signing open letter, more

After signing the open letter, Mayim Bialik publicly shared her perspective. The former Big Bang Theory actress stated:

“Artists and creatives have a unique opportunity and responsibility to remind the world of our shared humanity. Boycotting filmmakers, studios, production companies and individuals simply because they are Israeli fuels division and contributes to a disturbing culture of marginalization.”

She would go on to say,

“Additionally, this boycott pledge does nothing to end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home, or help curb the alarming rise of antisemitism globally.”

Mayim Bialik’s sentiments echoed what is also at the heart of the open letter:

Trending

“We know the power of film. We know the power of story. That is why we cannot stay silent when a story is turned into a weapon, when lies are dressed up as justice, and when artists are misled into amplifying antisemitic propaganda.”

Mayim Bialik has made it clear where she stands, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop with big Hollywood names continuing to pick sides.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback