Celebs Demand Starmer Act NOW on Gaza "Horrors" Must End!

Benedict Cumberbatch, Dua Lipa, Riz Ahmed, Annie Lennox, and Hundreds More Urge UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Act on Gaza Crisis

In a powerful display of solidarity and concern, over 300 prominent figures, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Riz Ahmed, musicians Dua Lipa and Annie Lennox, and numerous other public personalities, have signed an open letter addressed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The letter calls for immediate action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to end what they describe as the UK's "complicity" in the ongoing situation.

The letter, initiated by the NGO Choose Love, pulls no punches in its assessment of the dire circumstances facing the people of Gaza. It urgently implores Starmer to intervene and halt the rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Key Demands Outlined in the Letter:

• Immediate Suspension of UK Arms Sales to Israel: The signatories are calling for an immediate halt to all arms sales, directly addressing the UK's role in potentially fueling the conflict.
• Unfettered Humanitarian Access: The letter demands immediate and unrestricted access for experienced aid agencies to deliver vital assistance to the Gazan population.
• UK Government Commitment to Brokering a Ceasefire: Signatories urge the UK government to actively participate in diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The severity of the situation is underscored by the stark statistics presented in the letter. The letter highlights that every single one of Gaza's 2.1 million residents is at risk of starvation. An estimated 290,000 children are reported to be on the brink of death due to starvation allegedly caused by the Israeli government for more than 70 days

Josie Naughton, co-founder and CEO of Choose Love, passionately stated, "We need action from Keir Starmer now. That means stopping all arms sales and licenses, making sure that legitimate humanitarian organisations can reach people in Gaza... Action is a choice, just as inaction is one. History will remember what we did in this moment. We are begging the Prime Minister to make the right choice."

The signatories represent a diverse range of talent from the entertainment world, including Tobias Menzies, Tilda Swinton, Toby Jones, Steve Coogan, Sadie Frost, Ruth Negga, Lily Cole, and Mark Ruffalo, demonstrating the widespread concern across the creative industries.

This initiative arrives amidst increasing global unease regarding the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. The situation originally escalated following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 54,000, according to figures from the Hamas-run health authority, with the territory teetering on the edge of famine due to reported blockades on food supplies.

While Israel has recently resumed aid deliveries, the United Nations insists that the quantity of supplies reaching Gaza remains insufficient to alleviate the widespread food shortages. This follows reports of desperate people breaking into warehouses seeking sustenance, resulting in casualties and injuries.

This collective call to action follows similar appeals to Starmer from various groups, including lawyers and writers such as Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan, illustrating the growing pressure on the UK government to adopt a more proactive stance. The letter’s demands mirror growing international calls for de-escalation and increased humanitarian assistance.

As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the voices of these influential figures serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for diplomatic intervention and humanitarian aid. Their collective plea underscores the importance of holding leaders accountable and working towards a peaceful resolution to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan people. The world watches, hoping for a swift and compassionate response.

Tags: Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaza crisis, UK complicity, Keir Starmer, Dua Lipa, Riz Ahmed, Annie Lennox, Humanitarian crisis, Palestine, UK arms sales, Choose Love, Israel-Palestine conflict

Source: https://deadline.com/2025/05/benedict-cumberbatch-dua-lipa-riz-ahmed-letter-action-gaza-1236413181/