Following Hamas’s “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation against Israel – which occurred at dawn on Saturday October 7 – many French and Hollywood celebrities shared their fear and expressed their support to Israeli civilians on the social networks.
“Horrified by these images of terror and blind hatred,” lamented Patrick Bruel in an Instagram story. Support for Israeli civilians facing terrorist violence. The French songwriter also quoted writer Albert Camus in his message: “Terrorism is not resistance, it is barbarism.” These words were paraphrased by Gad Elmaleh on his Instagram account, accompanied by a message: “Sadness and dismay. This is terrorism and barbarism!” “It never stops, it’s hellish,” comedian Élie Semoun also reacted. Emmanuelle Béart shared on the same platform “I stand with Israel”.
“Those who for years have opened their arms to Hamas and its allies are the declared enemies of Palestine and Israel. They have the blood of this morning’s pogroms on their hands,” comic strip author Joann Sfar posted on Instagram. “Academics and politicians who welcome terrorism with open arms are perpetrators of massacre. And that brings votes?” he concluded, at a time when these attacks are creating a stir within the French left. Joann Sfar also shared Hebrew characters on her account meaning: “It means: ‘We will live’”. The drawing, liked by more than 28,000 people and relayed en masse on the social network, has become a symbol of support for Israel.
“I am Jewish, I am afraid, and I will not stay silent,” reported Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter. Across the Atlantic, many American celebrities have shown their support for Israel. “My heart is broken. Children, women and the elderly were murdered and taken from their homes,” Israeli-American actress Nathalie Portman shared in a post. Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC films, wrote on the social network: “I support Israel, and you should too. The world cannot just watch from afar as these horrific acts of terrorism take place!”
Jamie Lee Curtis also showed her support for Israel by posting a flag of the country in her story. The Halloween actress notably relayed the press release from the Anti-Defamation League, an organization fighting anti-Semitism which defends the “indisputable right of Israel to defend itself”. The actress also shared a video which allegedly shows the kidnapping of a young Israeli woman by members of Hamas.
In addition to the 5,000 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip early Saturday, October 7, Hamas fighters penetrated Israel in a coordinated manner. Following these events, the Middle Eastern country officially declared war on Hamas on Sunday. For the moment, the fighting continues. A provisional report published by the Israeli army on Monday shows 700 Israelis killed and more than 2,150 injured since the start of the attack. In the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, local authorities report 413 Palestinians killed and nearly 2,300 injured.
