The Academy Museum, known for its annual fundraising gala, has decided to postpone this year’s event, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14. The decision was made due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine. In light of the ongoing violence and loss of lives in the region, the museum felt it was appropriate to show respect by postponing the gala.
Not only has the gala itself been delayed, but the red carpet event that was planned has also been canceled. The Academy Museum released a statement expressing their condemnation of hate and cruelty, while also expressing their support for innocent lives affected by the violence in Israel and Palestine. The gala was still planned to take place on Saturday evening, but there will be no formal press coverage of arrivals beforehand.
Despite tensions in Hollywood due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the Academy Museum Gala had received permission to proceed from the striking guilds. This gala would have been one of the few major red carpet events featuring screen actors since the strike began in July.
The event was highly anticipated, with notable honorees and attendees scheduled to appear, including Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Sofia Coppola, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Goldie Hawn. However, the decision to postpone the gala came after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and the capture of hostages. In response, the Israeli government has cut off utilities to Gaza and launched air strikes on the region. The death toll in Palestine has now reached 1,417 people as a result of Israel’s military retaliation.
The Academy Museum’s decision to postpone the gala demonstrates their recognition of the severity of the Israel-Palestine conflict and their refusal to prioritize entertainment and red carpet events over the loss of innocent lives. While disappointing for fans and attendees, it is a reminder of the ongoing crisis in the region and the need for a resolution.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”