Lena Headey's social media post on the Israel-Hamas conflict has caused controversy online.
The actress, who is best known for portraying Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, reposted a lengthy statement from singer Annie Lennox to her Instagram account on Tuesday, dividing her 3.6 million followers.
On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostage. Israel declared itself at war with Hamas, firing airstrikes and cutting off supplies of food, water, energy and fuel to the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian militant group is based. A ground offensive into the area was later launched.
As of February 6, at least 27,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Associated Press, with women and children making up roughly two-thirds of the deaths.
"The history of discord and dispute between Israel and Palestine stretches back for decades," Lennox's statement reads. "I have always longed to see a peaceful resolution to this tragic and seemingly endless conflict.
"I am neither anti-semitic nor pro-Hamas. My stance is totally from a humanitarian standpoint, which must always be central to circumstances where the value or human life has been reduced to less than zero."
The Eurythmics frontwoman and activist described the "nightmarish conditions" civilians in Gaza are enduring, along with the "constant terror, trauma, threat and bombardment [that] accompanies each day."
However, Lennox also expressed sympathy for Israeli hostages and their families, and said she "fails to see how" the current conflict has contributed to a "peaceful solution."
"You found the words @annielennox," Headey captioned the post, adding the hashtag #permanentceasefirenow.
Newsweek has reached out to Headey and Lennox for comment via email.
Headey received significant backlash for reposting Lennox's statement, particularly from Palestinian advocates.
"How did killing 12,000 children bring back any hostages?" Mohammad Hajjiri said.
"It's not a dispute or discord," Hazar Alzaki said. "It's an occupation coupled with genocide and an on-going threat to anyone who speaks up."
"The death toll in Palestine far exceeds that from Israel," Taylor Eggleton said.
"Israel is an apartheid state that is carrying out a genocide against people that they brutally occupy," Darius said.
However, Israel supporters also hit out at the 50-year-old, telling Headey "Nobody needs your Hollywood declaration."
"There will be no ceasefire until all hostages are released and Hamas is destroyed," said X.
"Study the history of the region and maybe your voice would matter," said wrote Miriam Rinzler Rosenthal.
"Israel didn't start this," commented Scott F. Hiorns. "You reap what you sow."
Other users defended Headey, with @potatoamur asking "Why do people find it so hard to believe that one could be neutral?"
"Wanting for the most useless slaughter of people and literal genocide to stop shouldn't be such a mystery," they wrote.
Lennox's statement, which she shared to her Instagram and Facebook pages, follows her divisive appearance at the Grammys on Sunday night. The 69-year-old split opinions online, after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a tribute to singer Sinéad O'Connor, who passed away in July at the age of 56.
Lennox was performing the Irish singer's hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" during the In Memoriam portion of the award's show when she declared: "Artists for ceasefire!"
Several viewers questioned the timing of Lennox's protest, while other fans believed O'Connor—who was also an activist—would have appreciated the gesture.
The Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, was also recently accused of promoting "Israel propaganda." CEO Harvey Mason Jr. came under fire during this year's ceremony, after offering his condolences to victims of the Hamas attack on Israel, but not civilians in Gaza.
Like Lennox, Headey has been using her social media accounts to advocate for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians caught in the conflict.
The British star has shared several Instagram posts calling for a ceasefire. This includes a graphic slamming antisemitism while standing "against the oppression faced by Palestinians," and a post condemning the killing of innocent Israelis and Palestinians.
Update 2/06/24 11:31 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include further context regarding Annie Lennox and Lena Headey's calls for a ceasefire.
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