Thousands of Celebrities Denounce 'Genocide Libel' Against Israel

Over 5,000 prominent figures from entertainment, academia, literature, business, and religious organizations have signed an open letter titled "Stop the Libel of Genocide," rejecting claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The signatories also warned that this accusation has become a tool fueling global antisemitism. The letter, published on September 10, was spearheaded by Creative Community for Peace in collaboration with writers and researchers Yossi Klein Halevi, Rabbi Yitzchak Greenberg, Rabbi Micha Odenheimer, and Professor Jonathan Karp.

Notable signatories include former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Canadian Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler, Harvard Professor Steven Pinker, historians Benny Morris, Sir Niall Ferguson, and Simon Sebag-Montefiore, historian Deborah Lipstadt, former Yad Vashem chief historian Dina Porat, businessman Haim Saban, and actresses Debra Messing and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

The letter distinguishes between criticism of Israel's wartime actions and the specific legal charge of "genocide," referencing the 1948 UN Convention definition which requires intent to destroy a group. The authors argue that civilian casualties, destruction, or harm do not inherently prove genocidal intent. "The central difference between war as a tragedy and war as genocide is intent," the letter states, asserting that "in this war, only one side intended to commit genocide, and that is Hamas."

Signatories acknowledged the pain caused by civilian deaths but stressed that this discussion should not be conflated with legal claims of genocide. They linked the spread of "genocide" accusations to a rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023, stating that the charge provides "legal and moral cover" for rhetoric leading to the persecution and violence against Jews.

Irwin Cotler called the "genocide blood libel" a distortion of facts and law, while Deborah Lipstadt criticized the term's misuse, emphasizing genocide's specific legal definition. Ari Ingel, CEO of Creative Community for Peace, highlighted the influence of cultural figures in shaping public perception and warned that the accusation, when amplified by celebrities, can impact global attitudes toward Jews.

The letter urges both Jews and non-Jews to reject the genocide accusation as fact, declaring, "We will not let this lie go unanswered."