Bruno Mars Tel Aviv Concert Canceled In Wake Of Hamas Attacks, Festival Attendees Flee

Popular Israeli-American screenwriter Dan Gordon announced his decision to become a Financial Core (Fi-Core) non-member of the Writers Guild of America West after 56 years on Tuesday, calling out the union for staying silent on Hamas' terror against Israel. "I am resigning my membership in the WGA West and electing financial core status because I no longer wish to be a fellow traveler with those who hide behind the fetid veil of a morally bankrupt wokeism and stand silent in the face of a fanatical ideology no less explicit in its genocidal intent toward the Jewish people than that of Nazi Germany," he said in a letter to WGA West's membership administrator Patrick Cannon and assistant executive director Ellen Stutzman.

K.J. Yossman Update: Kitty Laing is to step down as head of comedy at United Agents as well as her other leadership roles. The agency said in a statement: “Following the statements made earlier this week, it has been agreed that Kitty Laing will step away from her leadership roles as Head of Comedy and as a member of the Executive Committee of United Agents, effective immediately.

The B-52s‘ scheduled concert at the White House last night (October 25) was cancelled due to the “sorrow and pain” of the Israel-Hamas war.The US new wave band – best known for their 1989 hit single ‘Love Shack’ – were set to play at an official state dinner for the Australian PM Anthony Albanese, hosted by the US President Joe Biden.In a statement, First Lady Jill Biden said (via The Guardian): “While we had initially planned for the legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, we are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, and we have decided to make adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening.”It is reported that The B-52s – who are named after a US bomber aircraft – instead attended the state dinner as guests. Presidential military bands provided “instrumental music” in the group’s place.Albanese arrived at the White House on Tuesday (October 24) ahead of a formal state visit yesterday, when he reportedly discussed topics such as Ukraine, China and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.“Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critically important, especially in these tumultuous times,” Jill Biden continued.

Steve Coogan has defended his decision to sign an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the current Israel-Hamas conflict, while also condemning the “horrific” Hamas attacks.Coogan was among over 2,000 names from the arts world who signed the letter. Tilda Swinton, Massive Attack‘s Robert Del Naja and Miriam Margoyles are also among the signees.The letter condemns various governments for “not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them” amid the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, as well as “every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them”.Citing Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant’s depiction of Palestinians as “human animals”, the letter goes on to argue that Palestinians “have become people to whom almost anything can be done”.However, some have criticised the letter for not openly condemning the actions of Hamas, who reignited tensions between Israel and Palestine when it launched its biggest ever attack on Israel on October 7, killing over 1,000 people.In response, Israel imposed a “total siege” on Gaza, threatening to cut off electricity, fuel and supplies of food and water.

EXCLUSIVE: The Writers Guild of America’s silence on the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel looks to be the only statement they’ll be making, at least according to West Coast president Meredith Stiehm.

Qatar’s Doha Film Institute (DFI) has cancelled the 11th edition of its Ajyal Film Festival, which was due to take place from November 8 to 16, due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Naman Ramachandran The touring production of “The Merchant of Venice 1936″ has been targeted by antisemites, its star revealed. Tracy-Ann Oberman, who has starred in “Doctor Who” and “Friday Night Dinner,” says the tour of the Shakespearean play has been forced to hire security guards in the wake of a surge of antisemitism prompted by the war between Hamas and Israel. “We’re on a 10-week tour and I’ve been moved beyond words at the reactions of audiences and critics.

U.S. President Joe Biden told a press conference in Tel Aviv on Wednesday that Israel did not appear to be responsible for a deadly blast at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza on Tuesday evening, which has enflamed tensions across the Middle East.

Updated with White House statement – Just over a week and a half after Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Israel, Joe Biden is heading to the Jewish state.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A group of 22 Hollywood writers has penned an open letter calling out the Writers Guild of America for not issuing a statement condemning the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. SAG-AFTRA and the Directors Guild of America each issued statements last week condemning the attack.

Saturday Night Live is back with season 49!

Ciara is speaking out about the current crisis in Israel and Palestine.

As tensions run high in Israel, a group of BBC journalists — Muhannad Tutunji, Haitham Abudiab and their BBC Arabic team — were driving to a hotel in Tel Aviv when their car was stopped by police.

More than 700 Hollywood figures, including Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Jamie Lee Curtis, have signed an open letter condemning Hamas and supporting Israel.

Prince William and Princess Kate are speaking out about conflict in Israel and Palestine.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel opened Bloomberg Media’s Screentime conference Wednesday evening with a strong condemnation of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that he left the country vulnerable to the heinous terrorist attacks that began Oct. 7. “A morally corrupt Bibi Netanyahu exposed Israel to rape and beheadings of babies, children,” Emanuel said in measured tones after moderator Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg’s managing editor of media and entertainment, asked him for his thoughts on the devastation in Israel.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Ayelet Arnin, a 22-year news editor who worked at Israel’s main broadcaster Kan, was among the 200 civilians killed by Hamas terrorists while attending a rave party in the country’s southern region on Saturday. Arnin, who was reportedly an American citizen, was reported dead by her friend who was with her at the party and informed her parents. Kan News Division spokesman Elon Baruch said in a statement Wednesday, “The Israel Broadcasting Corporation is saddened by the murder of our friend, Ayelet Arnin, an employee of the corporation, a sub-editor in the news division, in an attack by Hamas terrorists in the south.

A British Airways flight from London to Tel Aviv has been diverted due to “safety” concerns. The flight was due to arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel at 3.05pm this afternoon but the airline has made the decision to return the aircraft to Heathrow.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It’s not just X/Twitter: The European Union also has put Meta on notice about the urgent need to address a flood of misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict to remain in compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act. In an Oct.

Israeli concert-goers while performing at the Las Vegas Sphere by adding their 1984 hit “Pride (In the Name of Love)” to their set list on Sunday.“In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about nonviolence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable,” said U2 frontman Bono to a silent crowd in a video posted on the band’s Instagram. “But our prayers have always been for peace and for nonviolence.” “But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed,” continued the singer. “So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”As the first verse of the song begins, Bono, 63, manages to change the lyrics to reflect the recent tragedy in the Middle East rather than the assassination of Dr.