No, the headline does not refer to the Communist scaremongering of an earlier generation – nor does it mean Republican, for sure. It refers to the ubiquitous red lapel buttons the celebrity class was wearing to the 2024 Oscar extravaganza.
The red button was to show Hollywood’s support for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. It is no small irony that an industry that was once criticized by antisemites as being “too Jewish” should now have so many antisemites in the ranks.
The Oscar dog-and-pony show was delayed a short time because anti-Israel demonstrators had blocked traffic around the Dolby Theater. Several Hollywood stars were reported to have had to abandon vehicles and walk to the Theater. Despite the inconvenience, it appeared a significant number of Tinseltown’s royalty were in lockstep agreement with the street mob.
While some pay lip service to concern over Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel, most of their criticism is against Israel and the manner in which it is conducting the war. Whether by intent or consequence, the movement calling for a unilateral ceasefire is anti-Israel with antisemitic underpinnings.
Tragic and heart wrenching as it is, the circumstances in Gaza make it impossible to conduct a just and necessary war without significant civilian casualties. Gaza is a small area with a very dense population. Hamas employs a strategy of maximizing civilian loss for public relations purposes – and they do so by embedding among the population, at schools, hospitals and even relief centers.
And … there is a manifest and historic hostility to Israel among the Palestinian population, and significant support for Hamas terrorism. The civilian population has not shown any desire to rid themselves of Hamas or expressed opposition to anti-Israel terrorism as we saw in Iraq and Iran. Thousands of Palestinian civilians tormented the hostages as they paraded down the streets.
The protests in America are not even handed. In virtually every demonstration and protest, the criticism is against Israel – and is visually a sea of Palestinian flags. Those wearing red buttons expressed the same anti-Israel sentiments – and there were not many Israeli flag pins to be seen at the Oscars.
The demonstrations have had their effect in Washinton. President Biden initially provided unequivocal support for Israel in seeking justice and the extermination of Hamas terrorism. Unfortunately, his strong words were carried on weak knees. Under political pressure – and with an eye on his reelection — Biden shifted to a more critical view of Israel. He joined the ceasefire chorus. Having once said he would not interfere with Israeli war strategies, Biden now warns Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to stay out of Rafah. Biden calls it a “red line.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking and most powerful Jew in America has called for elections to oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamen Netanyahu. Granted, Netanyahu is not the most popular political personality in Israel, Schumer’s throwing him under the bus at this critical time has to be celebrated by Hamas. It again focuses the war only on Palestinian casualties with little consideration to how the war started – and Hamas’ culpability in the deaths of the civilians.
Biden and Democrats do have a political problem. Support for Israel seems to be endangering Biden’s reelection prospects – and could prevent Democrats from retaining control of the Senate. Based on the recent statements from Biden, Vice President Harris and Schumer, it appears that political pragmatism has trumped support for Israel.
Once again American policy seems to be accommodation and splitting differences. In Gaza and in Ukraine, the only positive option for the United States and the civilized world is victory – meaning the annihilation of Hamas as a viable terrorist organization.
The great irony of all this anti-Israel sentiment expressed in demands for a ceasefire is that Israel has expressed its willingness to discuss both a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange, but it has been Hamas that has refused. But then … the Hollywood elite have not been generally known for their intellect or their understanding of world affairs.
Their purpose in our society is to provide entertainment as a diversion from the burdensome issues of the day. But … those wearing the red buttons abuse their fame and their platform, and to paraphrase the iconic Hollywood song title, “That’s (not) Entertainment.”
So, there ‘tis.