Jennifer Lawrence has officially spoken out on the Palestine-Israel conflict. Israel and Palestine have been experiencing conflict for decades, but things got even more severe as the nations went to war nearly two years ago. This has led to countless deaths and global conflict, as countries around the world take sides in the war.
It has also become a very public political issue, wherein people on both sides take strong opinions and speak out about them. This has definitely reached Hollywood, as stars will use their platform to denounce the actions of one side or the other. In a time that is already politically divided in the United States, this has created even further division.
At a conference at the San Sebastián Film Festival (via Variety), Lawrence has now weighed in on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Lawrence made her opinions clear when asked about Palestine, saying that “what’s happening is no less than genocide.” She went on to disclose that she is terrified “for all of our children.”
Lawrence also spoke about the current state of U.S. politics, saying that things are “so sad” and she fears that the children of today will feel that the current “disrespect and discourse” is normal. Finally, she spoke more broadly on the role of artists in addressing major issues. Check out the full quote from Lawrence below:
“I’m terrified and it’s mortifying. What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s unacceptable. I’m terrified for my children, for all of our children.
I mean, the kids who are voting right now at 18, it’s going to be totally normal to them that politics has no integrity. Politicians lie, there is no empathy. And everybody needs to remember that when you ignore what’s happening on one side of the world, it won’t be long until it’s on your side as well.
I wish that there was something I could say, something that I could do to fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation. It breaks my heart. But the reality is, our fear in speaking too much or answering too many of these questions is that my words will just be used to add more fire and rhetoric to something that is in the hands of our elected officials.
I just want people to stay focused on who is responsible and the things that they can do and when they need to show up and vote, and not let the actors and the artists who are trying to express freedom of art, freedom of speech take the heat for the individuals that are actually responsible.”
Hollywood Is Now Divided On The Palestine-Israeli Conflict
These comments are particularly significant because of Lawrence’s connection to The Hunger Games series. The dystopian book and movie franchise has been brought up before in conversations about the ongoing war, with some saying that Israel is acting as the Capitol did in The Hunger Games.
Her comments more generally contribute to the ongoing debate in Hollywood surrounding the war. On September 9, a group of more than 5,000 Hollywood creatives signed a letter calling to boycott the Israeli film industry over their actions in the war. Notable signers included Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, and Joaquin Phoenix.
Just a few days later, a separate group of Hollywood stars signed an opposing letter, which denounced the boycott calls. These signers included Liev Schreiber, Sharon Osbourne, and Mayim Bialik. This letter has over 1,200 signatures. These letters make actors’ opinions on the matter very public.
Eurovision will also soon take a vote on whether to expel Israel from their compeтιтions. Actions like these, including Lawrence’s recent words, are emblematic of the tangible effects that this ongoing war has on the entertainment industry.
Palestine-Israeli Conflicts Becoming Even More Charged With Award Season Ahead
Lawrence‘s comments will be far from the end of the Hollywood discussion on the conflict in recent months. The awards season will undoubtedly feature some films based on the topic, notably including the documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab. The film chronicles the story of a young girl trapped by the IDF in Gaza.
The film is already in the early conversation for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. The award went to No Other Land last year, which also covers the conflict. The release of The Voice of Hind Rajab will likely stir the pot even more in what is already a divided Hollywood.
Jennifer Lawrence
- Birthdate
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August 15, 1990
- Birthplace
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Indian Hills, Kentucky, USA
- Notable Projects
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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook, Joy
- Professions
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Actress, Producer
