Warner, YouTube and Roc Nation Execs Sign Open Letter Denouncing Anti-Israel Rhetoric

Hundreds of entertainment industry leaders, including several from the music world, have signed an open letter issued by the non-profit Creative Community For Peace (CCFP), calling for a rejection of extremist rhetoric and misinformation surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The letter comes in the wake of the fatal shooting of two young people outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., during which the assailant reportedly shouted “Free Palestine.” This act, the signatories argue, underscores the real-world consequences of anti-Israel rhetoric.

Signatories include major music industry figures such as Warner Records CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck, former Atlantic Music Group chief Julie Greenwald, Roc Nation’s Andrew Gould, YouTube’s Lyor Cohen, Rhino’s Mark Pinkus and UTA’s David Zedeck, among others. Other signatories include manager/TV host Sharon Osbourne, songwriter Diane Warren, producer Ron Fair, and actors Mayim Bialik and Julianna Marguiles. 

The letter responds to a series of open statements from the entertainment and literary communities — including one this week addressed to the U.K. government — that the CCFP says contain false claims and inflammatory accusations. It accuses Hamas, Iran and others of spreading antisemitic propaganda since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people.

In the open letter, the CCFP calls on public figures to reject extremist rhetoric and misinformation targeting Israel and the Jewish people. The letter condemns Hamas, Iran, and their allies for spreading false narratives since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, accusing them of manipulating well-meaning celebrities into amplifying falsehoods. The letter highlights how such misinformation incites real-world violence, referencing the May 21 killing of two people in D.C. The letter denounces Hamas for endangering civilians and using human shields, while accusing those critical of Israel of co-opting social justice causes to vilify the country. The signatories urge their peers in entertainment to reject falsehoods and work toward a lasting peace.

CCFP chairman David Renzer and executive director Ari Ingel highlighted the urgency of the message and warned that without responsible use of social media platforms by influential entertainers, anti-Israel rhetoric could lead to more violence and antisemitic targeting.

The letter concludes with a call for peace, urging colleagues to stand against misinformation and extremism in order to support a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in dignity.

The conflict began with Hamas’ attack in 2023. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in an estimated 54,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties. The Associated Press reports that of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, Israeli officials believe about one-third may still be alive.

Read the open letter signed by Greenwald, Cohen, Bay-Schuck and more here.