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The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Thursday said it has decided to cancel the red carpet planned for Saturday’s Academy Museum Gala, its annual fundraiser.
Organizers in an email to red-carpet press cited the ongoing violence after Israel was attacked by Hamas fighters Saturday, with the death toll now above 1,300.
“The Academy Museum condemns all forms of hate and cruelty and stands in support of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives affected by the ongoing violence,” the email read today. “Out of respect for the devastating conflict and loss of life happening overseas, the Academy Museum has made the decision to cancel the red carpet at its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, October 14.
“We thank you for your interest in covering and hope to be able to accommodate you at next year’s event. Thank you for your understanding.”
This year’s honorees at the gala are Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola.
The event had previously gotten an OK from SAG-AFTRA to move forward despite the ongoing actors strike. The original plan for the red carpet had been for photos only and no interviews. No press is allowed inside.
Funds raised by the Academy Museum Gala support museum exhibitions, education initiatives and public programming. The event’s co-chairs are Ava DuVernay, Dr. Eric Esrailian, Halle Berry and Ryan Murphy.
Hollywood has been rallying in support of Israel since the attacks by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Earlier Thursday, a group of industry execs including Haim Saban, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Gary Barber condemned the attacks, while more than 700 members of the entertainment community signed a letter urging Israeli hostages to be released.
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