US entertainment industry union urged to protect pro-Palestine actors

Prominent Hollywood actors have called on the US labor union SAG-AFTRA to protect members supporting the Palestinian cause.

Notable actors such as Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera, and Cynthia Nixon joined hundreds of the powerful union's members, signing an open letter regarding Gaza to the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. 

The letter specifically requests that the union protect its pro-Palestine members from any form of retaliation or discrimination by major studios and employers.

The signatories demanded that SAG-AFTRA take a firm stance against the "McCarthyist repression" of members who support the Palestinian cause and to ensure that the union's leadership "join the largest and most diverse peace movement in a generation."

This comes as celebrities and some guild members who have publicly advocated for a ceasefire earlier noted that they have faced blacklisting, job loss, and harassment for their views.

One 'West Coast' actor, who remained anonymous for fear of retaliation, said that they and their representatives were the targets of a coordinated harassment campaign.

The letter addressed the SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and guild leaders and expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

It also highlighted the "human rights atrocities" being committed against Palestinians, including the disproportionate loss of civilian lives and the destruction of essential infrastructure.

Actor and SAG-AFTRA national MENA committee chair, Amin El Gamal, was earlier quoted by the media as saying that the union's leadership has a "blatant double standard" as they refuse to address the concerns of pro-Palestine members.

"How can you mourn the loss of some kinds of people and not others — especially when you have such a diverse membership?" he questioned.

Some members of SAG-AFTRA and Sister Guild Members for Ceasefire believe that their union's silence is a symptom of an unsustainable top-down structure that disregards members' input.

SAG-AFTRA Washington-Mid Atlantic local board member Gabriel Kornbluh said the leadership's neglect "undermines" the solidarity union members built with the executive board during last year's Hollywood actors' strike.

"I’m losing faith in President Drescher’s ability to lead our union down an equitable path," he said.

The union went on strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). 

The strike, which closely coincided with the Writers Guild of America's strike, stands out as one of the lengthiest work stoppages for US film and television actors.

Kornbluh added, "As a Jewish member, I say ‘not in my name’ to Israel’s war crimes and ‘not in my union’s name.’ If our leadership continues to align with the dehumanization of Palestinians - it’s a dereliction of our duty as both artists and unionists."

The ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza has so far resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths.