Chelsea Handler and Connie Britton among celebrities urging Biden and Harris to bring hostages home to Israel

In a powerful display of solidarity, over 50 celebrities have come together to sign an open letter directed at President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, imploring them to take urgent action to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Among the notable signatories are comedian Chelsea Handler, actress Connie Britton, and Bravo personality Andy Cohen, all of whom emphasize the need for U.S. support for Israel during its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

The letter asserts that the artists seek sustainable peace in the Middle East, highlighting the critical need for Hamas to return the 101 remaining hostages. This plea comes in the wake of a tragic incident in which six Israeli hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were killed by Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that these individuals were discovered in a Hamas-run tunnel in Rafah, brutally murdered shortly before military personnel reached the location.

The remaining hostages have been in captivity since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023, which saw Hamas launch a coordinated attack on Israel, resulting in a significant loss of life.

The letter features a diverse array of signatories, including actors Mayim Bialik, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca Gayheart, and Patricia Heaton, along with reality television stars like Jill Zarin and Margaret Joseph. Social media influencers, such as TikTok sensation Baby Ariel and dancer Montana Tucker, have also lent their voices to this important cause.

Organized by four Jewish advocacy groups—StopAntisemitism, End Jew Hatred, 2024 New Voices, and StandWithUs—the letter seeks to maintain public awareness of the hostage situation. Samantha Ettus, founder of 2024 New Voices, emphasized the importance of keeping this issue in the spotlight, stating, “We are approaching one year since 251 hostages were brutally stolen from their lives and 1200 were murdered. Our celebrities have come together to draw attention to the 101 hostages remaining in Gaza, including five Americans. After the brutal execution of six hostages, the urgency of getting the world to talk about this is now.”

Recent discussions within the White House have raised concerns about the feasibility of resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict before Biden’s term ends. A report by Human Rights Watch released this summer detailed the numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Hamas-led groups, noting that targeting civilians and taking hostages were central to their planned attacks.

The response to the Israel-Hamas war has also created divisions within the entertainment industry. Just weeks ago, another coalition of Hollywood stars—including Ariana Grande, Ben Affleck, and Cate Blanchett—signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter. This document called for the U.S. to halt arms sales to Israel, expressing a commitment to “freedom, justice, dignity, and peace for all people” and a strong desire to prevent further bloodshed.

The stark contrast between the two letters underscores the complexity of opinions surrounding the conflict and highlights the role of celebrities as influencers in public discourse. While some advocate for immediate action to secure hostages, others call for a cessation of hostilities and reevaluation of U.S. support for Israel.

As this situation continues to unfold, the voices of these celebrities reflect a broader dialogue about the urgent need for humanitarian solutions in times of conflict. The full text of the 2024 New Voices letter is available for those interested in learning more about this initiative.

Through their advocacy, these artists are striving to bring attention to a humanitarian crisis, emphasizing that every effort must be made to secure the safe return of hostages and foster a peaceful resolution in the region.