The Israeli Writers Guild has sent a scathing letter to its American counterpart, the Writers Guild Association (WGA), slamming them for their hesitancy to speak out against Hamas for the murderous attack against Israeli civilians on October 7.
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The letter reads: "The Screen Writers Guild of Israel is shocked and appalled by the lack of courage from its fellow American guilds to take a clear stand on the events of October 7.
Your silence is loud and clear and is completely contrasted by the loud support demanded from the SGI and their members just a few weeks ago.
It is a shame that a professional writers' guild cannot reach a consensus and find the words to condemn an act of terrorism, an unprovoked crime against humanity, against innocent civilians, women, children, the disabled and the elderly.
It is a shame that a professional writers' guild cannot find in their hearts enough courage to speak out against a terrorist organization that is currently holding 200 hostages, some of them toddlers and babies, snatched from their cribs as their mothers were raped in the same room, in front of their eyes.
It is a damn shame that a professional writers' guild decides to withhold words. To keep utterly silent.
To not take a stand.
Well, your silence is considered a stand, picking a side.
A shame."
Hollywood respond to silence
The senior showrunners expressed their disappointment in an open letter published on Medium.com, stating that they were disappointed by the lack of communication from the WGA. "We are a group of screenwriters who wish to clearly and forcefully condemn the heinous crimes committed by Hamas against innocent civilians," the open letter read.
"The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people is complex and full of nuance, but the crimes committed on October 7th were simple and cruel. If we cannot stand up to call it what it is — a monstrous act of barbarity — then we have lost the plot.
"We sign our names to this letter as individuals, apart from our union, but united in our shared humanity and duty to denounce evil where we see it."
The WGA's silence has also caught the attention of The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), who published the following letter: "SAG-AFTRA deplores and condemns the horrific acts of aggression against the Israeli people on Oct. 7. The attack was a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity. There is no justification for the murder and kidnapping of civilians. We mourn the loss of life and urge the safe return of those who are missing and held hostage. We stand united against hatred and violence and pray for peace."