The New York Times has hit a new low with their journalistic malpractice.
Melissa Barrera claims she was punished simply for “speaking truth”, advocating for “peace,” and calling out “injustice”.
That is false. The receipts speak for themselves.
She didn’t just criticize Israel policy. She repeatedly amplified conspiratorial, extremist, and deeply inflammatory content to millions of followers.
As leaders of Creative Community for Peace, we believe deeply in the power of culture to build bridges and foster understanding. That belief is precisely why accountability matters so much when culture is weaponized in the opposite direction.
An apology without meaningful, sustained change is simply a pause until his next cycle of hate begins. If this moment is truly different, the difference will not be found in a statement. It will be found in consistent action over time, without the proximity of an album release.
As an icon in the music industry, we hope his statement is sincere and marks the beginning of a different path forward. Compassion for mental illness and insistence on accountability are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they must coexist when public figures cause sustained, real-world harm.
The entertainment industry should know the difference, and until we see sustained, demonstrable change, we continue to echo the words of entertainment industry leaders Ari Emanuel and Jeremy Zimmer, who in 2022 both stated unambiguously that no one, and no companies, should be in business with Ye.
To read the full op-ed please visit The Hollywood Reporter here.
An Oscar-worthy film should tell the full story. The Voice of Hind Rajab presents a one-sided and misrepresented account of a Palestinian child’s tragic death. Her life deserves dignity, and the truth of how she died matters. By omitting critical context, the film turns tragedy into political propaganda. That is unacceptable, and it should not be rewarded as serious, responsible filmmaking.
“Palestine 36” is an Oscar-shortlisted film about the 1936 Arab Revolt, but despite presenting itself as history, it is anything but.
The film erases the Jewish narrative, distorts land ownership, omits Arab violence, and invents British atrocities. Key figures like the Grand Mufti, who incited violence against Jews and later collaborated with the Nazis, are erased entirely.
This isn’t historical drama. It’s historical falsification and should not be taken seriously. Art can educate, but misrepresenting history to serve a one-sided political narrative is propaganda, not storytelling.
Former hostage Romi Gonen (24 yrs) has spoken publicly about the sexual abuse she endured while held captive in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas massacre.
She recounts being sexually assaulted multiple times in captivity, describing one assault that was carried out while her captor threatened her with a gun.
During the rape, she said she was paralyzed with fear.
SHAMEFULLY, PROMINENT HOLLYWOOD VOICES CLAIM ITS ALL LIES
Despite survivor testimony and documented reporting, influential public figures have continued to question, dismiss, or mock reports of rape during and following October 7th.
Among those who amplified these denials include:
- John Cusack
- Rosie O’Donnell
- Indya Moore
- Saul Williams
- Sara Ramirez
- Fredwreck
This rape denial was broadcast to their millions of followers.
BELIEVE & SPEAK UP FOR WOMEN… UNLESS THEY’RE JEWISH?
The same cultural voices who demanded we must believe women, suddenly did a 180 when it came to Jewish women.
Evidence was dismissed. Testimony was interrogated. The victims were berated and harassed.
Just as bad, most of these so-called “celebrities fighting for social justice” just went silent.
The anti-Israel celebrities in Hollywood are shameful.
Thank you Romi Gonen for your brave testimony. We believe you.
Artists Boycotting Eurovision Invoke Fraudulent UN “Genocide” Claim: A manufactured UN report is being used to justify boycott calls by performers and past winners of the Contest.
Who Is Calling for a Boycott and Why
Some artists say they will disassociate themselves from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is dropped for committing “genocide.”
2024’s winner, Swiss singer Nemo, says he will return his trophy, while 17 singers competing in Portugal’s national selection show have threatened to boycott if selected.
They all cite the same source as their evidence: a fraudulent report put out by the biased UN Commission of Inquiry (COI).
The UN Report Is Nonsense
- The COI has a permanent open-ended mandate to “investigate” Israel of every crime – real or imagined. No other country faces such an inquiry.
- The three commissioners themselves also have a biased record
- Miloon Kothari has ranted about the “Jewish lobby” controlling social media.
- Chris Sidoti belittled concerns about antisemitism as accusations “thrown around like rice at a wedding.”
- Navi Pillay endorsed sanctions against “Apartheid Israel” before being appointed to the COI to investigate that exact charge.
Why Their Genocide Charge Fails
Genocide requires “specific intent” to destroy a people, the highest standards of mens rea in all of criminal law.
Here’s why it’s considered so demanding:
- Negligence – A reasonable person would have known the risk..
- Recklessness – Consciously disregarding a substantial risk.
- Knowledge – Being aware that the consequence is virtually certain to occur.
- Specific Intent – Acting because you want that consequence to occur.
Specific intent is even above knowledge; you can know that something will happen and still not meet specific intent unless that outcome is your goal.
This is a higher mental burden than crimes against humanity, which only require knowledge that acts are part of a widespread or systematic attack.
Why Israel’s Actions Clearly Don’t Meet This Standard
Israel’s stated war aim targeted Hamas — not the Palestinian people.
From the outset, Israel’s declared objective has been to dismantle Hamas’s military capacity in the wake of the October 7th massacre.
That was a legal military aim against an organized armed group, not an aim to destroy a protected civilian group, despite how out of context the anti-Israel movement took quotes from various Israeli leaders.
The report also downplays:
- Hamas’ terror activity and tunnels.
• Use of human shields. - Systematic use of civilian infrastructure.
• The hostage crisis.
• Reliance on Hamas sourced casualty figures. - The IDFs constant warnings to evacuate and stay clear of areas of operation.
Artists Have Responsibility to Spread Truth
The UN COI claim is not a legal finding; it is an activist report issued by a body with a documented record of bias. Citing it to justify an insidious boycott promotes an unsubstantiated accusation with real-world consequences—it amounts to a modern blood libel.
When artists repeat the term “genocide” without understanding either the legal standard or the credibility of the source, they amplify misinformation rather than truth.
Alex Ritman has spent years hiding anti-Israel activism behind the mask of “journalism.” From promoting BDS campaigns to amplifying boycott movements in leading entertainment publications Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, his reporting pushes one-sided narratives that delegitimize Israel and fuel antisemitism.
We cannot let biased voices disguised as press distort the truth or normalize hate. Journalism should inform, not serve as a weapon against Israel and the Jewish people. ✡️
