Israeli-American screenwriter Dan Gordon resigned from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on Tuesday over the guild’s silence on the Hamas attacks on Israel, Variety reports.
Gordon, who wrote “The Hurricane” and “Wyatt Earp” among others, is also a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces. He grew up in Israel and the US, and holds dual citizenship.
He wrote a letter to WGA West leadership on Tuesday saying he will elect “financial core” status, according to Variety.
In a separate interview, Gordon noted that the guild had previously taken stands in support of Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, and that its refusal to condemn the Hamas attacks is “appalling.”
“We had no trouble, as we should not have had, weighing in after George Floyd was killed. We had no problem, as we should not have had, weighing in on the #MeToo movement. No one said at the time, ‘I don’t want to offend Bill Cosby,'” he was quoted as having said. “And yet you’re witness to nothing less than the worst slaughter of Jews since Nazi Germany and you can’t find a word to say to condemn it.”
“We’re not the union of pipefitters. We’re not the plumbers union,” added Gordon. “We’re the Writers Guild. We stood up to McCarthyism. We stood up to fascism. It’s part of our job to bear witness.”
Writers who opt for “fi-core” status cannot vote in WGA elections, participate in awards, or enjoy other benefits of membership. They still pay a reduced dues rate and work under the same economic terms as apply to guild members. The guild does not allow members to rejoin after they elect “fi-core” status.
The WGA on Tuesday issued a lengthy apology in which its leadership explained that they drew a distinction between domestic social justice issues — which they have spoken out on — and international tragedies, which they generally have not.
“We are American labor leaders, aware of our limitations and humbled by the magnitude of this conflict,” the leaders stated, according to Variety. “However, we understand this has caused tremendous pain and for that we are truly sorry.”
Meanwhile, dozens of celebrities in the American entertainment industry signed a joint letter in which they thanked US President Joe Biden for his part in the release of four hostages from Gaza, and demanded the release of all the hostages held in Gaza.
Last weekend, 58 other celebrities published an open letter demanding that Biden call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.