Current:Home > reviewsPink denies flying Israeli flags; 'Priscilla' LA premiere canceled amid Israeli-Palestinian war -Elevate Capital Network
Pink denies flying Israeli flags; 'Priscilla' LA premiere canceled amid Israeli-Palestinian war
View
Date:2025-04-17 13:15:03
More celebrities are reacting to the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, where the death toll on both sides surpassed 4,000 on Monday, with thousands more wounded.
Pink and Riz Ahmed posted statements on social media as the world braced Monday for an expected Israeli ground invasion of Gaza aimed at crushing Hamas. Meanwhile, the Academy Museum Gala postponed its annual fundraiser, and a red carpet for the upcoming Sofia Coppola film "Priscilla" has been canceled.
Last week, over 700 actors, comedians, musicians, and power players of the Hollywood community signed an open letter denouncing Hamas' "barbaric acts of terrorism" in Israel and calling for the return of hostages.
Here's what more celebrities are saying.
Riz Ahmed calls for end to 'indiscriminate bombing' of Gazans
Oscar-winning British actor and rapper Riz Ahmed called for the end of the "indiscriminate bombing of Gaza's civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water, and electricity, and the forced displacement of people from their homes" on his social media platforms.
"These are indefensible war crimes," he continued. "We need to put ourselves in the shoes of the people of Gaza, now, before we all walk past the point of no return."
The "Sound of Metal" actor also denounced the actions of Hamas, calling the attack "horrific and wrong."
Pink denies flying Israeli flags on tour
Pink, who is currently on the North American leg of her Summer Carnival tour, claimed in an X post that she has received "many threats" from people who mistook Poi flags displayed at her live shows for Israeli flags. The singer clarified that the flags "were used many, many years ago by the Māori people in New Zealand and because they and the Māori people are beautiful to me, we use them."
"I have been using Poi flags since the beginning of this tour," she said. "I do not fly flags in my show in support of anything or anyone except the rainbow flag. That will remain my position."
She continued, "I am a human. I believe in peace. Equality. Love. I am deeply saddened by the state of the world. I pray for all of us."
Academy Museum Gala postponed where Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey were set to be honored
The war has caused reverberations in Hollywood, too.
On Oct. 12, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles announced the red carpet for its annual fundraising gala on Oct. 14 would be canceled "out of respect for the devastating conflict and loss of life happening overseas."
"The Academy Museum condemns all forms of hate and cruelty and stands in support of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives affected by the ongoing violence," the museum's statement reads.
Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Michael B. Jordan and Sofia Coppola were set to be honored at the event.
Los Angeles red carpet premiere of 'Priscilla' canceled
Similarly, the red-carpet premiere for the Sofia Coppola film "Priscilla," which is based on the love story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, was canceled in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," A24 Films confirmed to USA TODAY in an email.
"Out of respect for the events going on in the world, we will be forgoing a red carpet for the 'Priscilla' Los Angeles premiere," the studio said in an email to the press.
'Horrific':Gal Gadot, Gigi Hadid, Kim Kardashian support Israel amid Palestinian conflict
What is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
One of the world's most enduring and intractable conflicts connects to a century of competing claims to land, borders and rights in a region of deep historical and religious significance.
The United Nations in 1947 tried to divide the-then British Mandate of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states. A year later, when the state of Israel was created, the first Arab-Israeli War broke out. Ever since Israel's victory and following several other wars, Palestinians have gradually been displaced from territory that they also see as their rightful homeland.
Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis among700 entertainers denouncing Hamas' terrorism in open letter
Israel-Hamas conflict live updates:Israel warns Iran, 'Don't test us,' as world braces for Gaza ground invasion
Contributing: John Bacon, KiMi Robinson, Kim Hjelmgaard, Phillip M. Bailey, Josh Meyer, Sudiksha Kochi, Francesca Chambers and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
veryGood! (71)
Related
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Bookcases recalled nearly a year after 4-year-old killed by tip-over
- Los Angeles to pay $21M to settle claims over botched fireworks detonation by police 3 years ago
- U.S. woman accused of posing as heiress in scam extradited to the U.K. to face fraud charges
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- Money issues may sink proposed New Jersey branch of acclaimed Paris museum. Mayor blames politics
- How much TV is OK for little kids? Making screen time work for your family
- Trump or Biden? Investors are anxious about the 2024 election. Here's how to prepare
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Flight to New Hampshire diverted after man exposes himself, federal officials say
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Homes are unaffordable in 80% of larger U.S. counties, analysis finds
- Arizona abortion rights advocates submit double the signatures needed to put constitutional amendment on ballot
- Dress appropriately and you can get a free Krispy Kreme doughnut on July 4th: Here's how
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Video shows dog turning on stove, starting fire in Colorado Springs home
- LA's newest star Puka Nacua prepares for encore of record rookie season
- Iran's 2024 election: Will the presidential run-off vote lead Iran back toward the West, or Russia and China?
Recommendation
British swimmer Adam Peaty: There are worms in the food at Paris Olympic Village
New state climatologist for Louisiana warns of a ‘very active’ hurricane season
Copa América 2024: Will Messi play Argentina vs. Ecuador quarterfinal match? Here's the latest.
The best gadgets to have this summer
Judge says Mexican ex-official tried to bribe inmates in a bid for new US drug trial
Federal Reserve minutes: Inflation is cooling, but more evidence is needed for rate cuts
LA's newest star Puka Nacua prepares for encore of record rookie season
Penn Badgley and Brittany Snow Weigh in on John Tucker Must Die Sequel Plans