Susan Sarandon speaks at a protest in New York City on November 9, 2023. Sarandon was fired from her talent agency on November 21st. Photo: Wyatt Souers
Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon was fired from her longtime agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), on November 21, just days after she appeared at a rally in support of Palestine and one in New York City on Friday, November 17 had spoken of a ceasefire.
“Many people are afraid of being Jewish during this time and are getting a glimpse of what it feels like to be Muslim in this country that is so often subject to violence,” she said, commenting on decades of racism and Islamophobia , fomented by dominant institutions in the United States looking for a reason to justify imperialist interests in the Middle East.
Melissa Barrera, a Mexican-born actress most recently known for the “Scream” franchise, was fired from production company Spyglass Media Group after she shared on Instagram her disgust at Western media’s one-sided narrative portraying Israel’s destruction Gaza is moving forward. She argued that “Gaza was treated like a concentration camp where everyone was crammed together, with no place to go, no electricity or water,” referring to the way Nazis in Germany in the 1940s Jews and enemies of the state have been targeted for years. In response, Spyglass said in a statement withdrawing her from all future Scream films that its position is “unambiguously clear: we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including false references to genocide.” Ethnic cleansing, Holocaust falsification or “anything that blatantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
After being dropped by Spyglass, Barrera refused to question her beliefs:
“First and foremost, I condemn anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hatred and prejudice of any kind against any group of people. As a Latina, a proud Mexican, I feel the responsibility to have a platform that gives me the privilege to be heard…” She continued: “I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no violence and for a peaceful one Together.” Existence. I will continue to stand up for those who need it most and continue to advocate for peace and security, for human rights and freedom. Staying silent is not an option for me.”
Fans and activists have condemned the authorities’ response, claiming they are tampering with their constitutional rights. Others have pointed out how foolish the companies are in conflating anti-Israel sentiment with anti-Semitism, relying on the decades-long Zionist ad hominem attack strategy that deflects any blame on Israel or its leadership.
Hundreds of artists, including Barrera and Sarandon, signed an open letter to President Biden urging a ceasefire, saying: “As of this writing, more than 6,000 bombs have been dropped on Gaza in the last 12 days – killing one child .” killed every 15 minutes. We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, of standing by and doing nothing.” Emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths told UN News: “History is watching.”
Artists and actors like Barrera understand the importance of their platform in Hollywood; They are workers who work in an industry that plays a major role in Western media and is an integral part of the military-industrial complex. Barrera’s reaffirmation of her solidarity with Palestine draws attention to Hollywood’s complicity in reviving a chauvinistic narrative that the Pentagon seeks to popularize on and off the screen. There is a decades-long relationship between the Pentagon and Hollywood studios. Often, entire films are not given the green light without approval from the US Department of Defense.
It’s not just actors who are shunned. Agents, authors and other cultural figures also faced retaliation for their statements about Israel. The Creative Actor Agency, which represents many A-listers in Hollywood, dropped writers Saira Rao and Regina Jackson after Rao responded to “Rao responded that Hollywood “punishes people of color for speaking out… It is Abhorrent.” The genocide is undeniable. You can watch it on live TV. CAA will be on the wrong side of history.”
Notably, CAA also fired long-time agent Maha Dakhil from a top position within the agency after she shared a post on her Instagram that read, “What is more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide?” I am a witness to denial that genocide is taking place.” Her comments sparked an internal uproar, with famed writer Aaron Sorkin attacking her and leaving CAA. Dakhil, the daughter of Libyan immigrants, was reportedly only able to keep her job after actor Tom Cruise spoke out on her behalf.
Many called the allegations of anti-Semitism unfounded, pointing out that Dahkil helped lead a CAA town hall event specifically to combat anti-Semitism last November. A letter to the editor written as a student at UCLA in 1996 denouncing an article in a local newspaper that did not address the “brutal Israeli forces.” [who] mercilessly attacking innocent victims in Lebanon,” has been circulating in Hollywood circles for decades, showing their concern about the war in the region for decades. Film directors Ava Duvernay and JJ Abrams have also expressed their support for Dakhil to the CAA leadership.
Popular artists and celebrities who speak out about U.S. foreign policy have long faced attempts to censor and silence them as they actively promote consensus building on the U.S. government’s positions on global affairs in general and prevent their aid to Israel in particular.
Muhammad Ali was imprisoned for years and barred from boxing professionally because he spoke out against the Vietnam War. In the late 1940s, the U.S. State Department intensified its public opinion campaign to convince Americans that the Soviet Union was actually Enemy Number 1—and not the ally against European fascism that American audiences knew. A long list of famous actors, radio hosts and film directors were blacklisted because they were suspected of sympathizing with communists and the Soviet Union. The blacklist was spread throughout Hollywood to scare others in the industry and speak out against the U.S. government.
The contradiction between what the Western media wants to convey to its audience and the public sentiment behind the Palestinian struggle has never been clearer. Public opinion polls show an actual decline in positive sentiment toward Israel and its response, while support for a ceasefire has increased dramatically among both Republican and Democratic voters. American audiences can see and hear with their own eyes and ears how mass death and destruction in Gaza is greater than the world can bear. The people stand with Palestine.
Zak Norton is a filmmaker and union camera technician in Atlanta, Georgia. Zak writes about the intersection of work and war, art and politics.
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