Hollywood Stars, Musicians Call for Release of Hamas Hostages in Letter to President Biden
Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, and Justin Timberlake are among hundreds who signed the #NoHostageLeftBehind note
SCORES OF HOLLYWOOD actors, musicians, comedians, and other entertainment figures signed an open letter to President Biden on Monday, calling for the release of all of the hostages Hamas has taken.
Among the hundreds of signatories are Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Katy Perry, and Bradley Cooper. The letter is part of a campaign called #NoHostageLeftBehind, which seeks the release of the more than 200 hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7 (four hostages have been released since Friday, Oct. 20).
“We are heartened by Friday’s release of the two American hostages, Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan and by today’s release of two Israelis, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, whose husbands remain in captivity,” the letter reads. “But our relief is tempered by our overwhelming concern that 220 innocent people, including 30 children, remain captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death.”
The letter praises Biden for his leadership and support for the Jewish people and the Palestinians who have been terrorized and victimized. “We all want the same thing: Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages,” the letter continues. “We urge everyone to not rest until all hostages are released.”
Many American hostages’ families have shared their loved ones’ stories with the media, calling for their release, including Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin attended Supernova music festival in Israel, was seriously injured, and presumed captured by Hamas. Hersh’s parents spoke with ABC’s Nightline last night. Today, they are meeting with the UN in an appeal for the return of the hostages. “We really think of this as an international humanitarian catastrophe. There are over 30 countries represented in the hostages who are being held,” Goldberg explained of why they’re appealing to the UN.
“So this isn’t a specific two-country issue. And to us, the fact that nobody has proof of life, nobody has any word of medical attention being given because we’ve heard from international humanitarian groups and organizations that they don’t have access,” she continued. “So we feel that the United Nations is the right address to say, how can we get these people who more than 100 of them are from all over the world, the care that they need, or, you know, even proof of life?”
Polin added: “Right now this hostage issue is kind of in the news, but in a day or two or a week? Something’s gonna overtake it. And my message is don’t forget these people. Don’t give up on these people until they are home safely.”
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