Jewish star Ben Stiller breaks silence on Israel-Hamas war: 'I want the violence to end'

It's been more than nine months since the Hamas-led terrorist attack shocked the entire world on Israel on October 7, 2023. In retaliation to the attack, Israel launched a full-fledged war in Gaza, that had claimed thousands of Palestinians' lives.

As the war between Israel and Gazaintensifies, Jewish actor Ben Stiller has written an opinion piece published inTimemagazine in which expresses his views on the situation and the rise of antisemitism andurges for global peace.

Ben Stiller breaks silence on Israel-Gaza conflict

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Expressing the complicated state that he has been in, the Emmy-winning star admitted that he’s been “struggling to reconcile” his silence on the matter.

"Saying nothing at this point feels like I am betraying my own conscience,” Stiller, who is Jewish, wrote.

“But what do you say? How does one express the complicated and very real feelings in this scary world of social media, where it seems any sentiment opens you to online vitriol from one side or another? The issues we are dealing with are so nuanced and complicated that short statements cannot in any way express fully what I want to say from my heart,” he added.

Stiller on Hamas' Barbaric Attack on Israel

“I grieve for those who suffered in the barbaric Hamas attack on October 7 and for those who have suffered as a result of those atrocities,” Stiller wrote.

“My heart aches for the families who lost loved ones to this heinous act of terrorism and for those anxiously waiting these long months for the return of the hostages still in captivity. It’s a nightmare. I also grieve for the innocent people in Gaza who have lost their lives in this conflict and those suffering through that awful reality now.”

He continued, “I detest war, but what Hamas did was unconscionable and reprehensible. The hostages have to be freed. Terrorism must be named and fought by all people of conscience on the planet. There is no excuse for it under any circumstances.”

Saying that he stands with the Israeli people, the actor wrote against Israel's attack on Gaza, which had claimed the lives of innocent Palestinians.

“I want the violence to end, and the innocent Palestinian people affected by the humanitarian crisis that has resulted to receive the lifesaving aid they need. And I know that many in Israel share this sentiment,” Stiller wrote.

“I believe, as many people in Israel and around the world do, in the need for a two-state solution, one that ensures that the Israeli people can live in peace and safety alongside a homeland for the Palestinian people that provides them the same benefits.”

In the op-ed, the actor went todenounce antisemitism, which has increased sincethe Israel-Hamas war.

(With inputs from agencies)