Maureen Lipman says artists should feel shame for stance on Gaza
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BLOG – Israel at war; Hamas hostages: Day 56

Israel-Hamas ceasefire extended for 24 hours; at least 8 hostages expected to be released on Thursday

October 23, 2023, 8:49 am Edit
Hostages released since the truce: Eitan Yahalomi with his mother and Emily Hand with her father
Hostages released since the truce: Eitan Yahalomi with his mother and Emily Hand with her father
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8:49 am

Maureen Lipman says artists should feel shame for stance on Gaza

Dame Maureen Lipman has said artists should feel “shame” for advocating for Palestinians following the Hamas attack on Israel.

Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton, Game Of Thrones star Charles Dance, I’m Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan and Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes are among more than 2,000 artists to back an open call for humanitarian support in Gaza.

The letter, written by Artists For Palestine UK, calls for “an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gaza’s crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered”.

It has also urged governments to “end their military and political support for Israel’s actions”.

On the front page of Monday’s Daily Telegraph, Dame Maureen said liberal artists have espoused the Palestinian “cause at the expense of every other oppressed people of the world”.

She added: “The Palestinians are not Hamas, I agree; they just elected them. And, 17 years later, Hamas has done nothing for the Palestinians save stealing the millions donated in aid money while keeping them in penury.”

Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006 and has not held a public vote for representatives in Gaza since.

Dame Maureen also said: “I would love the signaturists to answer me this question: If your beloved country had been under attack for 70 years… how angry and exhausted and how determined to defend your country against any future attacks would you be?”