WGA Slammed by Israeli Writers Guild for Silence on Hamas Massacre: ‘We’re Shocked and Appalled by the Lack of Courage’
The continued silence from the Writers Guild of America on the massacre perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists in Israel two weeks ago has sparked condemnation from its Israeli counterpart.
The Screenwriters Guild of Israel has accused the WGA of lacking courage and picking a side while it remains silent.
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“The Screen Writers Guild of Israel [SGI] 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,” the org, chaired by Nadav Ben Simon, wrote to its American counterpart. “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,” the letter continued. “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.”
The SGI’s condemnation follows that of a number of the WGA’s own members, including “The Americans” showrunner Joel Fields and writer-director Eli Roth.
As Variety reported last week, a group of 22 WGA members have penned an open letter to the guild for staying silent on the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens earlier this month. SAG-AFTRA and the Directors Guild of America both issued statements. The WGA has previously issued statements in support of Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement.
Over 2000 civilians were murdered during the Oct. 7 attacks, either in their homes or at a music festival, while more than 200 were taken hostage, including babies and Holocaust survivors. The remain in captivity.
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