“You are learning right now who supports genocide.” They were the words that cost Maha Dakhil, one of the main acting representatives in all of Hollywood, her position as head of the CAA agency. And in recent days the conflict between Israel and Hamas has moved to Hollywood, where several prominent names are losing their jobs for comments against Benjamin Netanyahu's practices in the Gaza Strip.
However, shortly after the detractors, figures are also beginning to come out in defense of those affected. In Dakhil's case, it has been one of his main clients: Tom Cruise. The American actor, protagonist of the Mission Impossible action franchise, showed his support for the representative of Libyan origin, even contacting the agency to show his support. However, this situation would have worsened the work environment at CAA.
Variety, who has been in charge of uncovering this case, reported that Cruise and Dakhil met in person on November 15, when he showed his support and that ended up tipping the balance for the agent to keep her place. However, several workers were “disappointed” that the person involved was not going to be permanently fired, including those who reported the message, and threatened the company with resignations.
Another well-known actress who has been harmed by her position in favor of Palestine is Susan Sarandon. The New Yorker, who until now was represented by the UTA agency, one of the most prestigious in the United States, was left without her place there after giving a heartfelt speech. “There are many people who are afraid of being Jewish right now, and they are experiencing first-hand a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim in this country,” were her words.
Sarandon also added that anti-Palestinian sentiment was the result of “brainwashing.” Aviva Klompas, former director of speechwriting at Israel's Mission to the United Nations, strongly condemned his words: “When Susan Sarandon said that Jews 'are getting a taste of what it's like to be Muslim in this country,' she was saying that Jews American Jews deserve it – we don't deserve to live free of harassment and assault.”
A third victim of the position against Israel has been the actress Melissa Barrera, struck down from her role in Scream VII after a story published on Instagram: “Gaza is being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering us all together, with nowhere to go, without electricity or water... People have learned nothing from our stories. And just like our stories, people continue to silently watch it all happen. This is genocide and ethnic cleansing. The media only shows the Israeli side. Why do they do that?".
