The Walt Disney Company is donating $2 million to organizations providing humanitarian relief to those affected by the Israel-Hamas war.
“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks targeting Jews in Israel this past weekend, we must all do what we can to support the innocent people experiencing so much pain, violence, and uncertainty — particularly children,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “We condemn these attacks, the hate that motivated them, and all acts of terrorism, and we will continue working to find more ways to provide support in the region, and to honor the victims, their families, and all those affected by this war.”
Disney is donating $1 million to Magen David Adom, which is part of theRedCrossRedCrescent movement and provides emergency medical and blood banking services in Israel, as well as $1 million to other nonprofit organizations in the region with a focus on providing aid to children.
In announcing their donation on Thursday evening, Disney also said that the company is matching charitable donations from Disney employees up to $25,000.
Other corporations have stepped up to help with relief efforts amid the terrorist attack. David Ellison’s Skydance pledged $1 million to American Friends of Magen David Adom via an employee match program.
“Skydance stands with Israel, strongly condemns the attacks against its citizens, is donating support to the victims of this tragic act of terrorism, and prays for the safe release of innocents hostages,” a Skydance statement said on October 8.
On Friday, Comcast also committed $2 million to aid the humanitarian efforts unfolding in Israel and the Middle East, PvNew has learned. Comcast’s donation includes $1.5 million immediately to Save the Children Federation Inc., Doctors Without Borders, Direct Relief and American Friends of Magen David Adom.Additionally, the company is donating up to $500,000 for all employee donations to those organizations, in addition to contributions that were already made by Comcast’s matching gift program.
Earlier in the week, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and president Mike Cavanagh addressed staff in an internal memo, obtained by PvNew. “We are horrified and deeply saddened by the brutal attack on Israel,” the executives wrote. “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones through unspeakable acts of terrorism and the devastation of war.”
The donations from Disney and Comcast come as at least 1,200 people have died in Israel and at least 1,100 have died in Gaza. On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise ambush on Israel firing thousands of rockets from Gaza, brutally killing civilians in their homes and committing a massacre at a music festival for peace where 260 bodies were found. More than 100 civilians have been kidnapped from Israel and are being held hostage in Gaza.
Not since the Holocaust have this many Jews died in one single day.
President Joe Biden has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has expressed unwavering support for Israel as it now retaliates and defends itself in Gaza.
After an initial period of silence from Hollywood, the entertainment industry is now speaking out in support of Israel. Most major studios have not released official statements, but executives have sent internal emails to their companies in support of Jewish employees. Paramount Global was the first major company to release a public statement on Israel, now being joined by Disney. Other studios and streamers have not responded to PvNew‘s request for comment.
On Thursday, more than 700 figures from the entertainment industry signed an open letter to condemn Hamas and demand the safe return of hostages being held in Gaza. A number of celebrities have alsocondemned the Hamas attacks, including Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson, Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba, Floyd Mayweather, Seth Meyers, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Amy Schumer.
