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Hollywood Most vocal advocates of a “Free Palestine” are under scrutiny for their muted or critical response to President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
About two years after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attacks against Israel sparked war in Gaza, the two sides agreed to the first phase of a peace proposal, Trump announced Oct. 8. Under the plan, Hamas agreed to release all 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza in return for Israel releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including about 250 convicted terrorists.
During an address to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, Trump hailed the Middle East ceasefire as a “historic day.”
Nevertheless, many in Hollywood continued to call for it a ceasefire Throughout the conflict – including members of campaigns such as Artists4Ceasefire and Film Workers for Palestine – they have either remained silent or criticized the breakthrough, with few acknowledging Trump’s role in securing it.
Billie Eilish wears a pro-Gaza pin from Artists4Ceasefire while attending the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
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Pro-Israel actor and comedian Michael Rapaport was one of those who noticed. He called out several celebrities who he said were now “silent” on the ceasefire, accusing them of “performance activism” in an Oct. 11 statement. Facebook post.
“Ceasefire is NOW, where are these people?” Rapaport wrote and named actors Mark Ruffalo, John Cusack, Hannah Einbinder, Javier Bardem and singer Lorde. “The war in Gaza is coming to an end. The so-called ‘genocide’ is over. Because it was never about peace. It was about performance,” he added.
Columnist Paula Froelich also criticized about a dozen celebrities who publicly called for a “Free Palestine” and a “Ceasefire Now” or wore a red pin at the 2024 Oscars. She said many have since remained silent on the peace deal or continued to blame Israel “for all the atrocities that have happened in the last two years.”
“If I were less charitable, I might argue that Hollywood stars are more interested in a performative farce – insulting Israel and our president – than seeing a free Palestine actually happen in real time. How about hypocrisy?” she wrote in her column for the British newspaper The times.
“Snow White” star Rachel Zegler sparked controversy when she shared her views on the Israel-Gaza war and Trump voters. In an August 2024 post about the trailer for “Snow White,” the actress wrote, “And always remember, free Palestine.” (VALERIE MACON / Contributors)
Some supporters of the Free Palestine movement claim the ceasefire does not fully address the humanitarian crisis or allegations accusing Israel of genocide.
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of figures who have publicly supported the Artists4Ceasefire or Free Palestine movements – including Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix, Billie Eilish, Rachel Zegler and Lorde – for comment on the ceasefire and Rapaport’s criticism, but received no response.
Some actors have commented on the peace agreement, but not positively. John Cusack, who did it was criticized A former anti-Semitism monitor derided the ceasefire as a “photo op” for Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“To anyone who believes for a moment that Netanyahu will stop killing, there is a bridge for sale in Brooklyn,” Cusack wrote on October 14. “He’ll give Trump his photo op – and then move on.” he added In the post, he accused both leaders of using the deal for political purposes.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, who wore a keffiyeh at the 2025 Emmy Awards, called the ceasefire “very good news” in an Instagram post but said it was “by no means a fair plan for the rights and future of the Palestinian people.” He also shared a clip from MSNBC’s “The Weekend” in which guest Noura Erakat claimed that Trump’s Gaza plan was “another way to continue the occupation (of Israel).”
Javier Bardem wore a keffiyeh and announced “Free Palestine” from the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
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“Hacks” actress Hannah Einbinder, who made headlines earlier this year for shouting “F— ICE and free Palestine” during her acceptance speech for the 2025 Emmy Awards, posted several messages from other accounts questioning whether the ceasefire would hold. One warned that there was “no guarantee that this genocide will stop,” while another criticized the peace conditions.
Other celebrities expressed cautious optimism. Progressive actors Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon shared a statement from Artists4Ceasefire on October 10, calling the agreement “an urgent and encouraging moment of relief.”
The group added: “It raises hope that precious lives can be saved and that Israeli bombing and deliberate starvation of Palestinian civilians will end, that all hostages will be safely returned and that urgently needed humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza. We hold cautious hope that the ceasefire will last and will continue to call for it to be made permanent.” becomes.”
Ahead of the deal, more than 1,000 actors, directors and filmmakers signed a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions through the activist group Film Workers for Palestine.
Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon are two well-known figures in the Artists4Ceasefire movement. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Trump is praised by MSNBC and liberal media for securing a peace deal with Israel
“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, who refused to show their films in apartheid South Africa, we commit not to collaborate with Israeli film institutions that are involved in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the group’s statement said. Signatories reportedly included Ruffalo, Emma Stone, Peter Sarsgaard, Lily Gladstone, Olivia Colman, Sarandon and Tilda Swinton.
The group released a statement on Instagram on Oct. 15 saying the boycott against Israel would remain in place “until Palestinians are no longer subjected to occupation, apartheid and genocide.”
“This catastrophe, this genocide, has not been ended with a single call for a ceasefire. And it will not end as long as the perpetrators of this genocide continue to evade responsibility,” the post continues.
Despite the criticism, some actors have publicly praised the peace agreement.
Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman called it a “momentous day” during an appearance at a film festival in France, saying: “It almost feels crazy to talk about anything other than – hopefully – celebrating peace.”
British actress Frances Barber also wrote and praised Trump for his role in the deal
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Fox News’ Hanna Panreck, Marc Tamasco and Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.
