NEW YORK: A group of Hollywood’s 55 celebrities including Pakistan’s Riz Ahmed, have signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden asking him to press for a ceasefire in Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Last week, the United States vetoed a Russian sponsored UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Pakistan co-sponsored the Russian resolution.
The Hollywood stars’ letter also includes the names of Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, Jon Stewart, Kristen Stewart, Susan Sarandon, Ramy Youssef and Quinta Brunson.
The letter’s signatories so far include Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera, Bassem Youssef, Jon Stewart, Dua Lipa, Hasan Minhaj, Oscar Isaac and Michael Stipe.
Biden asked to facilitate ceasefire
The letter urged Biden administration, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza.
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The letter stated Half of Gaza’s two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees. It added that humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them.
Earlier some signees, such as Ferrera, also shared their views on the conflict in other forums. Speaking at Glamour’s Global Honourees’ Women of the Year Awards a few days ago, Ferrera who acted in ‘Barbie and How to Train Your Dragon’ called for the conflict to end.
She added our sisters and their families in Gaza and Israel are living through horror. The brutality of terror and war is unfolding before our eyes.
The Biden administration has so far not issued any statement while responding to the letter sharing the views of celebrities on the conflict.
Earlier on Thursday, President Biden has reaffirmed the U.S. support for Israel. The White House has not called for a cease-fire in the area but has called for reducing civilian casualties.
On October 18, Biden administration announced $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.
