Wars have long been a part of humanity’s history. Historically, they have been fought for any number of reasons. The Great War followed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Did Gavrilo Princip know the outcome of his act beforehand? Fast forward four years to “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent,” according to Delaware’s official website. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 and other ensuing treaties carved up territories formerly under Ottoman rule. Palestine, because of the holy places, was to be under an international regime, per the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
League of Nations authorization permitted Great Britain to govern Iraq and Palestine (including modern-day Jordan and Israel). Syria and Lebanon went to France. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the Husayn-McMahon correspondence conflicted with the Sykes-Picot Agreement in more ways than one. Those repercussions are felt to this date. A case in point is the conflict between present-day Israel and Palestine. Many voiced their hopes for a swift resolution to the ongoing crisis. While some picked sides, Dave Portnoy went a different way.
Dave Portnoy stands with all affected parties
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Dave Portnoy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon. The unfiltered “El Presidente,” owner of Barstool Sports, showcased his support for all affected by the conflict. He used the words, “It’s not Just About Standing With Israel. It’s About Standing With Humanity Regardless of Race, Religion, or Creed.” Accompanying the post is a picture of the flags of Israel and Palestine being waved by two different people.
It's not Just About Standing With Israel. It's About Standing With Humanity Regardless of Race, Religion or Creed https://t.co/S1w2uCymDv
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 10, 2023
Reportedly, the conflict began on October 7. Following a Hamas-led offensive from the Gaza Strip into parts of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently vowed to put an end to the organization. The death toll totals over 2,000 on both sides, while over 5,000 have been reported injured in Gaza, as per the financial daily Mint.
Dave Portnoy is not one to mince his words, but he pointed out, that when it comes to humanity, what divides people needs to be set aside. And amidst the turmoil, our beloved Hollywood celebrities have not remained silent either.
Hollywood reacts to the Israel-Palestine conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict has a long and complex history, with both sides suffering immeasurable losses over the years. These voices, which often entertain and inspire us, now echo the collective heartbreak and yearning for peace. Madonna took to Instagram to describe the situation as “devastating,” emphasizing that conflicts cannot be resolved with violence.
She wrote, “Watching all of these families and especially children being herded, assaulted, and murdered in the streets is Heartbreaking… We live in a World Ravaged by Hate. My heart goes out to Israel… I’m Praying For you… Let us all Pray. For Peace. For The World [sic].”
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Meanwhile, Natalie Portman expressed, “My heart is shattered for the people of Israel. Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes. I am in horror at these barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected.”
While Mark Hamill showcased solidarity by sharing images of the American and Israeli flags, captioning it “America stands with Israel #ALWAYS”. Kim Kardashian advocated for peace and expressed sorrow over the prolonged conflict, stating, “I take the side of humanity.”
There might well be a reason the phrase is “spoils of war.”, War however necessary and unavoidable, spoils. With the death toll mounting, it makes sense for one to hope for a speedy resolution to this crisis. In the end, there will be one victor on paper but both sides will lose.
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These heartfelt messages remind us that behind the headlines and political complexities, there are real lives, real families, and real stories of loss. Isn’t it time we let love, understanding, and compassion guide our steps? For in their heartfelt notes lies a universal plea – a plea for unity, for healing, and for a world where love triumphs over hate.
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