Special report - FiMED

From the red carpets of film festivals to concert stages, and from donation drives to aid flotillas heading to the Gaza Strip, a number of the world's most prominent artists, activists and public figures have used their fame to express solidarity with the Palestinians, demand an end to the war, or call for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

These stances have ranged from public statements and signing petitions to taking part in solidarity events and donating to relief organizations. Below are some of the most prominent names whose positions have been documented by international media.

First: Film and television stars

Susan Sarandon: public stances and professional consequences

American actress Susan Sarandon is among the most prominent film figures to declare support for the Palestinians and criticize the war on Gaza. She has taken part in events supporting Palestine and has spoken publicly about the consequences of her stances for her career.

In September 2026, Sarandon said during her participation in the Venice Film Festival that film roles previously assigned to her were no longer available to her because of her stances, noting continued pressure within parts of the film industry over her pro-Palestinian activism.

Mark Ruffalo: appeals to stop the war

Actor Mark Ruffalo, known for his film roles, has used his public platforms to express his positions on Palestine and the war on Gaza. His name has been associated with a group of artists who called for a ceasefire and expanded access to humanitarian aid, and he has taken part in initiatives and statements of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Joaquin Phoenix: signing a call for a ceasefire

Joaquin Phoenix was among dozens of artists who signed an open letter addressed to US President Joe Biden in October 2023, urging him to press for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, an end to the bombardment of the Strip, a safe release of the detainees and the entry of humanitarian aid.

The letter also included the names of prominent artistic figures, among them Cate Blanchett, Jon Stewart and Susan Sarandon.

Richard Gere: joining relief efforts

Richard Gere took part in the "Together for Palestine" concert held in London in September 2025, with the participation of dozens of artists, speakers and activists, aimed at raising funds to support humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinians.

According to The Independent, the concert raised about £1.5 million and was co-organized by musician Brian Eno, with the funds allocated to support relief organizations working with Palestinians, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

Second: Music and singing, from platforms to donations

Macklemore: a solidarity song and relief donations

American rapper Macklemore has stood out for his public pro-Palestinian stances. In 2024 he released the song "Hind's Hall" which became associated with pro-Palestinian US campus protests. He later announced donating proceeds and funds to support Palestinian relief organizations.

In September 2026, his name returned to the foreground after reports said he had pledged to donate the net profits from a concert tour to six organizations, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

Brian Eno… Organising an artistic event in support of Palestine

British musician Brian Eno was among the most prominent names behind the organisation of the «Together for Palestine» concert in London in 2025. The event brought together artists, actors, speakers and public figures with the aim of supporting humanitarian relief, and allowed the audience to take part in a fundraising campaign through tickets, donations and sales..

The band «Kneecap» Palestine on the festival stage

The Irish rap group «Kneecap» declared its public support for the Palestinian cause, and used its appearance at the Coachella music festival in 2025 to display messages in support of Palestine. Its members also spoke about the situation of Palestinians in Gaza during their performances and interviews..

Press reports indicated that the band's positions sparked political and professional disputes, including measures related to the US work visas of its members..

Third: Models and influential figures

Bella Hadid… A recurring presence in pro-Palestinian discourse

Bella Hadid has stood out among the most famous global figures who have publicly expressed their support for Palestinians, drawing on her wide presence on social media platforms. Her participation in an Adidas advertising campaign in 2024 sparked controversy after Israel criticised her because the campaign was linked to a historic shoe used at the 1972 Munich Olympics..

Reports said the company removed Hadid from the campaign after the controversy, while the model took legal steps, according to media reports..

Fourth: Activists and participants in on-the-ground movements

Greta Thunberg… From climate activism to the Gaza flotillas

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg expanded her activism to include solidarity with Palestinians, and took part in maritime movements aimed at reaching the Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid..

In September 2025, she told Reuters while at sea as part of a movement heading towards Gaza that recognition of the Palestinian state should be accompanied by practical steps and pressure on Israel, not limited to symbolic measures..

Liam Cunningham… Supporting humanitarian movements towards Gaza

Actor Liam Cunningham took part in movements supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla, and appeared at a press conference in Barcelona in August 2025 alongside participants in the initiative. During the conference he spoke about the suffering of Palestinian children, and called for broader international action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza..

Pep Guardiola.. A sporting voice against silence

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has stood out among sports figures who have publicly expressed their solidarity with Palestinians. In June 2025, while receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, he spoke of his pain at the scenes of children being killed in Gaza, calling for silence not to prevail in the face of humanitarian suffering. In January 2026, he took part in a solidarity event with Palestine in Barcelona wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh, and said that Palestinians had been left alone to face what they are being subjected to. He then renewed his position in February, stressing that what is happening in Palestine and other conflict zones is «a problem that concerns us as human beings», and that protecting the lives of innocent people transcends political divisions.

What do these positions reveal?

These examples show that international solidarity with the Palestinians has taken multiple forms and has not been limited to statements on social media platforms; some artists took part in campaigns for a ceasefire, others contributed to fundraising, while activists and public figures engaged in field initiatives linked to delivering aid to Gaza..

However, it is important not to place all these figures in a single category: some called for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, some expressed broader political support for Palestinian rights, while others took part directly in fundraising campaigns or humanitarian movements..

These positions reveal the presence of the Palestinian cause in segments of the global cultural and artistic scene, and the use by well-known figures of their public platforms to call for relief, an end to the war, or support for Palestinian rights. The nature and limits of each position remain tied to what the figure herself or himself announced or to what has been documented by reliable journalistic sources.