From the silver screen to the headlines, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has become a hot topic in Hollywood. On one side, you have major stars like John Cusack and Alec Baldwin speaking out in support of Israel, while on the other, actors such as Maisie Williams and Chris Evans have condemned the Israeli government’s military action.
The dispute has spilled over into the entertainment industry in other ways, too. It has become commonplace for film and television projects to be “dropped” by agents if they feature protagonists or storylines in any way related to the conflict. For instance, an upcoming Netflix miniseries was recently cut from its production slate after it featured a Hamas terrorist as a main character.
This has created a difficult situation for creators writing and producing stories about Israel and the Middle East. On one hand, having a widely acclaimed source material would help increase the marketability of a project, yet the potential backlash from one side or the other far outweighs the commercial success.
Further complicating the matter is the fact that Hollywood, itself, is divided on the issue. Protests have been held at film sets and actors have been called out for their positions on social media. The debate has also been discussed in film and TV writer’s rooms, with liberal writers and staff members voicing their discontent with middle eastern protagonists such as a Hamas terrorist being featured in a script.
This discord is not only confined to the entertainment industry. From publishing houses to news outlets, organizations are being asked to pick a side and publicly take a stance on the issue, creating further rifts and uncertainties in the process.
It’s no secret that Hollywood is a melting pot of diverse voices and opinions. Still, the conversation over the Israel-Hamas war is proving to be a major point of contention and, in some cases, the deciding factor in whether a film or TV project gets made or not. It can be difficult to navigate these waters but it’s important for creators to have an understanding of the larger political context before setting out to tell a story.
