NPR

Cultural figures find perils to speaking out and staying silent about Mideast crisis

Cultural figureheads are expected to speak out about world events. But some are facing real-world consequences for making public declarations about the present conflict.
A man, left, carries two Israeli flags during a pro-Israel rally outside of the Israeli Embassy on Oct. 8, 2023 in Washington, D.C., and people, right, wave flags during a rally in support of Palestinians in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2023.

In recent years, social media backlash has become commonplace as cultural figures and organizations use digital platforms to express their views in response to world events.

But some have also been facing real-world consequences — fallout that goes well beyond the realm of social media — for making public declarations about the present Israel-Hamas conflict.

The real-world consequences of taking sides

In the world of talent management, Maha Dakhil at the high profile Creative Artists Agency, who represents Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Madonna among other A-listers, resigned

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