Boycotting Schwarzenegger

For weeks, we here at CairoScene have been updating you on the latest celebrities in solidarity with Gaza, in what became known as the popular BDS movement. Looking to respond to the outpouring of support, a pro-Israel activist organisation has circulated and enlisted 190 names of Hollywood's elite that criticise the actions of Hamas.

Some of the notable names that support the statement released are actors; Kelsey Grammer, Sarah Silverman, Minnie Driver, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Seth Rogen, and Egyptian-born, forced out for being Jewish, creator of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Haim Saban are just a few of the names that appear on the statement.

Under the terribly biased headline of “Commitment to Justice and Peace,” the statement declares "While we stand firm in our commitment to peace and justice, we must also stand firm against ideologies of hatred and genocide, which are reflected in Hamas' charter, Article 7 of which reads, 'There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!' The son of a Hamas founder has also commented about the true nature of Hamas."

The statement continues, adding, "Hamas cannot be allowed to rain rockets on Israeli cities, nor can it be allowed to hold its own people hostage. Hospitals are for healing, not for hiding weapons. Schools are for learning, not for launching missiles. Children are our hope, not our human shields.”

This statement began circulating on Saturday by Lana Melman, the director of the Creative Community for Peace organisation, founded in 2011, with the goal of bringing together prominent members in Hollywood to counter cultural boycotts against Israel. The statement concludes, "We join together in support of the democratic values we all cherish and in the hope that the healing and transformative power of the arts can be used to build bridges of peace."

What the statement fails to clarify is what the diverse signatories agree on as a solution for peace in the region. Either way, we here at CairoScene are starting to consider boycotting Schwarzenegger and Stallone films, as movies like Terminator and Rambo take on a new meaning in light of the statement.

If you want the complete list of signatories click here.