Hollywood Stars Speak Out on Israel, Remain Silent on Iran

Oscars ceremony highlights selective activism among celebrities

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:13am

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The 2026 Oscars ceremony saw several Hollywood stars wearing 'Artists4Ceasefire' pins, signaling their concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the author argues that this selective activism overlooks the dire situation in Iran, where the regime's brutal crackdown on protests has led to a near-total internet blackout, making it difficult for activists to be heard. The author contends that while celebrities have platforms to amplify certain causes, they have failed to shine a light on the Iranian people's fight for freedom, bodily autonomy, and freedom from religious extremism.

Why it matters

This case highlights the selective nature of celebrity activism, where certain conflicts and human rights issues receive more attention than others. The author argues that the silence around the situation in Iran is particularly troubling, as the regime's actions have a destabilizing effect on the entire region.

The details

During the Oscars ceremony, several celebrities, including 'Bridgerton' star Charithra Chandran and actor Javier Bardem, wore 'Artists4Ceasefire' pins to signal their concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the author notes that this activism overlooks the dire situation in Iran, where the regime's brutal crackdown on protests has led to a near-total internet blackout, making it difficult for activists to be heard. The author contends that this selective focus on certain conflicts, while ignoring others, is a recurring pattern in Hollywood.

  • The 98th Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 17, 2026.

The players

Charithra Chandran

A 'Bridgerton' star who wore an 'Artists4Ceasefire' pin on the Oscars red carpet.

Javier Bardem

An actor who wore two 'Artists4Ceasefire' pins during the Oscars ceremony and made remarks about 'No to war and Free Palestine'.

Hen Mazzig

The author of the article, who is an author, creator, and senior fellow at The Tel Aviv Institute.

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What they’re saying

“We saw this in the recent viral debate surrounding Rachel Zegler's Harper's Bazaar interview, where she reflected on 'Euro-centric beauty standards' — as if the trailblazing careers of Salma Hayek or Jennifer Lopez had never existed.”

— Hen Mazzig, Author and Senior Fellow at The Tel Aviv Institute (nypost.com)

“Peace is not merely the absence of gunfire; it is the presence of justice. And there can be no justice in a Middle East where this regime is allowed to continue its reign of domestic terror and regional arson.”

— Hen Mazzig, Author and Senior Fellow at The Tel Aviv Institute (nypost.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the selective nature of celebrity activism, where certain conflicts and human rights issues receive more attention than others. The author argues that the silence around the situation in Iran is particularly troubling, as the regime's actions have a destabilizing effect on the entire region, and the Iranian people's fight for freedom, bodily autonomy, and freedom from religious extremism deserves more attention from the Hollywood elite.