James Corden, Ben Winston and Fulwell 73 Partners Condemn Hamas Terrorist Attacks in Israel, Express Concern Over Media Reports of Conflict
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The partners of transatlantic production company Fulwell 73 have released a statement condemning the “devastating terrorist attack against Israel” two weeks ago and expressing concern over how the conflict is being reported by the media.
James Corden, Ben Winston, Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner and Ben Turner, whose company produces fare including “The Kardashians” and “Mammals,” said they “pray for peace and for the safety of every Palestinian and Israeli. Holding these two convictions should not be seen as being mutually exclusive, they are by every definition two sides of the same belief one should hold in the sanctity of human life.”
More from Variety
'Byker Grove' Gets Reboot From 'Kardashians' Producer Fulwell 73, Ant and Dec on Board
Fulwell 73 Renews Deal With CBS Studios, Extending Partnership After 'The Late Late Show'
The statement also noted that more than 200 civilians are being held hostage in Gaza, including babies and grandparents. “Snatched from their homes after witnessing unimaginable atrocities, taken from their families and used as human shields and bargaining chips against Israel’s response. We hope the world will continue to add their voices to the pressure being exerted on the terrorists to let them go home,” the statement reads.
“We are deeply concerned by the way much of the media’s reporting of the conflict is at best reckless and at worst manipulative, fueling and feeding a world where Jews cannot send their children to school, attend places of worship, or indeed display any outward distinguishing feature of their religion without fear for their safety,” the company’s founders continued, adding they are “equally appalled at the rise of Islamophobia.”
Earlier this week a number of media outlets, including the New York Times and the BBC, were forced to issue apologies over their reporting of an attack on a hospital in Gaza. Many media outlets immediately blamed Israel for the attack, which they said had left 500 dead at a hospital. Later they confirmed the attack was most likely caused by a Hamas rocket aimed at Israel mis-firing and landing in the hospital carpark, causing only a handful of casualties.
Earlier this week the Fulwell 73 partners added their names to a letter addressed to President Joe Biden thanking him for his leadership and calling on him to help release the hostages. Other signatories to the letter included Chris Rock, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry.
Read the full statement from Fulwell 73 below:
We, the partners of Fullwell 73 Productions, are proud of our Jewish heritage, proud of our connection to the State of Israel, and proud of the positive contribution we, as a Jewish community, have made, and continue to make to the world. We are equally proud of the diverse and truly inclusive company we have built, a company that celebrates and promotes our differences and promotes the acceptance of all.
It has been just over two weeks since Hamas perpetrated the devastating terrorist attack against Israel. Since then, we have mourned those we have lost, seen the horrific images that have emerged, heard the stories of the survivors, and bore witness to the lack of humanity and level of cruelty we all prayed we would never have to see again.
There are still over 200 innocent people, among them many children, elderly and teenagers, that remain in the hands of Hamas, snatched from their homes after witnessing unimaginable atrocities, taken from their families and used as human shields and bargaining chips against Israel’s response. We hope the world will continue to add their voices to the pressure being exerted on the terrorists to let them go home.
We are also beyond despair at the sight of the suffering of the innocent civilians now in Gaza, who are dying and having to leave their homes as Hamas, in an act of true cowardice, hides amongst them. We pray for peace and for the safety of every Palestinian and Israeli.
Holding these two convictions should not be seen as being mutually exclusive, they are by every definition two sides of the same belief one should hold in the sanctity of human life.
We have been appalled by the dangerous comparisons being made between Israel’s response and the terrorism itself. It has, in part, led to the most frightening and threatening time for Jews since the Holocaust. We are devastated and disgusted by the exponential rise in antisemitic attacks we have witnessed on our own streets, more than 600 such incidents have been reported in the U.K. in the last 17 days alone and many more across the United States, including the shocking news this weekend of the murder of a prominent member of the Detroit Jewish community, stabbed to death in her own home.
We are living in a world where support for human life and prayers for peace are being weaponized and tarnished by hate. We are deeply concerned by the way much of the media’s reporting of the conflict is at best reckless and at worst manipulative, fueling and feeding a world where Jews cannot send their children to school, attend places of worship or indeed display any outward distinguishing feature of their religion without fear for their safety.
Let us be clear. We are equally appalled at the rise of Islamophobia. We despair for six year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, murdered in his home in Chicago. Our hearts are broken for his family. This hate and ignorance must end.
We condemn all acts and statements that contribute to racism, Islamophobia and Antisemitism. We pray for peace in the Middle East, peace for the people of Israel and for all Palestinians. A peace that can only be achieved by the removal of the terrorist organisation Hamas and an open honest and respectful dialogue between people of all faiths and beliefs here in the U.K., United States and across the world.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
