What took so long? Well, SAG-AFTRA union members are on strike, you know, so they’ve been busy walking picket lines and holding up signs. Or something. It was hard to find a few minutes to publicly condemn the war that Hamas has begun with Israel.

So, six days after Hamas animals entered Israel and beheaded babies, murdered children as they slept in their beds, raped and murdered women, and dragged elderly Israelis out of their homes and murdered them, not to mention the innocent people that were taken hostage, SAG-AFTRA released a statement.

“SAG-AFTRA deplores and condemns the horrific acts of aggression against the Israeli people on Oct. 7,” bluntly said the 160,000-member strong guild Friday.

“The attack was a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity,” the guild added. “There is no justification for the murder and kidnapping of civilians. We mourn the loss of life and urge the safe return of those who are missing and held hostage.

“We stand united against hatred and violence and pray for peace.”

Perhaps our left coast elite betters realized a ground war is now imminent so the window of time to make a meaningful statement is closing.

To its credit, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) put out a statement on October 11. It was one of the first Hollywood groups and studios to offer their support for Israel.

“The DGA unequivocally condemns terrorism and joins the many voices in our community decrying the recent Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and violence against innocent civilians,” the union said this week. “We stand against the growing spread of antisemitism here in the U.S. and abroad, and remain committed in our actions, words and deeds to supporting the Jewish people.”

That is a better, stronger statement than the one by SAG-AFTRA, in my opinion. YMMV.

Other big shots in the entertainment industry weighed in with their condemnation after the DGA led the way.

Preceded by remarks from MRC on October 10, the DGA’s declaration soon was followed by a joint statement from the likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Haim Saban, UTA co-founder Jim Berkus, CAA’s Chris Silbermann, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Paramount’s Brian Robbins and many more. “We unequivocally stand in solidarity with Israel in the global fight against terrorism,” the luminaries exclaimed.

In the past few days, Paramount Global and mega-agencies WME, CAA and UTA also expressed their support for Israel and their revulsion at the butchery.

It’s like everyone was waiting for a big group to go first in order to provide cover for what should have been a no-brainer for the elites. Did they fear criticism for support of Israel?

Disney and Warner Bros Discovery have stepped up and made financial contributions.

Disney is matching up to $25,000 from employees in charitable donations to Israel and the crisis.

On Thursday night, Disney announced that it was donating $2 million to humanitarian relief in Israel and the surrounding region.

“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks targeting Jews in Israel this past weekend, we must all do what we can to support the innocent people experiencing so much pain, violence and uncertainty – particularly children,” said a note from CEO Iger accompanying news of the donation. That was followed today by a similar $2 million donation from Comcast and a $1 million donation from Skydance.

Disney gave $1 million to Magen David Adom, an affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and a variety of other nonprofit organizations that provide aid to children in Israel will receive the other $1 million. Comcast gave $1.5 million to Save the Children Federation, Doctors Without Borders, Direct Relief and American Friends of Magen David Adom.

The NBCUniversal parent also is donating up to $500,000 for all employee donations to these organizations, in addition to contributions that they already have made through our matching-gift program. Disney is matching up to $25,000 from employees in charitable donations to Israel and the crisis.

Guess which group hasn’t bothered to make a statement of support for Israel? The Writers Guild of America. They are too self-absorbed, apparently, with their own union strike. How pathetic.

Not all Hollywood people are self-absorbed jerks. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino visited southern Israel to boost the morale of IDF soldiers.

#BREAKING: Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino visits an Israeli base in southern Israel to boost IDF morale pic.twitter.com/Vso6IgQlWa

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 13, 2023

More than 700 celebrities and entertainment executives signed an open letter in support of Israel. The letter was created by a non-profit, Creative Community for Peace, and it condemns the Hamas attack on Israel and called for the return of hostages. An interesting part of the letter is how the group admits there will be a propaganda campaign coming soon from those who support Hamas. They warn others to steer clear of falling for it.

As Israel takes the necessary steps to defend its citizens in the coming days and weeks, social media will be overrun by an orchestrated misinformation campaign spearheaded by Iran. We urge everyone to remember the horrific images that came out of Israel and to not amplify or fall for their propaganda.

It’s important to know who has the moral clarity to acknowledge what is happening in Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself. It brings progressives in Hollywood together with more conservative colleagues. The same is happening throughout America. The war in Israel’s defense is a unifying force among Americans.

The celebrities and entertainment executives who signed include Gal Gadot, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Debra Messing, Haim Saban, Mark Hamill, Rick Yorn, Howie Mandel, Julian Edelman, Antoine Fuqua and others.

We’ll remember who did and did not speak up when the time came to do so. Looking at you, WGA.