SWC Condemns Silence of Writers Guild of America over Hamas Terrorism

October 20, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center shares the frustration and disappointment of leading screenwriters and showrunners about the silence of the leadership of the Writers Guild of America regarding the mass murder of 1,400 Jews in Israel by Hamas and its campaign of wanton killing, rape and kidnapping of hostages that began on October 7. 

“We applaud Joel Fields, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jerry Seinfeld, Matt Weiner, Jenji Kohan and well over 200 other WGA members who have condemned the silence of the Guild’s leaders when it comes to the murder, rape and kidnapping of Jews,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Director of Global Social Action for the Center. 

Rabbi Cooper added “We echo the message sent by WGA members on October 15: ‘… the Writers Guild of America has always led by example. When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo reckoning came and Hollywood needed to change, again the Guild spoke up. But when terrorists invaded Israel to murder, rape, and kidnap Jews… the Guild stayed silent.’”

The Wiesenthal Center also commends the leadership of the Directors Guild of America and SAG/AFTRA, the major talent and management agencies and the studios for immediately taking a public stand against Hamas terrorism unlike the WGA. 

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).