Israel-Palestine

Brett Gelman is opening up about the recent backlash he's faced for vocally supporting Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza ... and he thinks it's BS that his gigs are getting nixed.

The "Stranger Things" star joined us Monday on "TMZ Live," where he slammed bookstores for canceling his upcoming appearances over the ongoing controversy in the Middle East.

Brett -- who recently released his book, 'The Terrifying Realm of the Possible' -- confirmed that three different bookstores canceled his promotional appearances amid alleged security concerns.

Candace Owens was fired from her hosting job at the Daily Wire because her bosses were fed up with what they viewed as her repeated promotion of antisemitism ... TMZ has learned.

The conservative media company announced Friday morning that it was parting ways with Candace, and while no official reason was mentioned ... sources with direct knowledge tell us it was squarely over what the Daily Wire honchos saw as antisemitism, and the firing went down early this week.

Candace and fellow Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro have had a very public feud recently on social media over their opposing views on the Israel-Gaza conflict -- and we're told the last straw for the DW was her March 8 appearance on the "Fresh and Fit" podcast.

The hosts were talking to Candace about the rift with Ben, and every time Ben or his wife -- who is Israeli -- was mentioned the show dropped a cha-ching sound effect, an obvious nod to the antisemitic trope about Jews and money.

While Candace didn't say anything to besmirch Ben, we're told the feeling was she didn't say anything to defend him or call out the antisemitism. To be fair, it's unclear whether she heard that sound effect while recording the podcast.

We're told Daily Wire execs had previous conversations with Candace in an attempt to understand her position -- as they didn't want to censor her -- but they felt the podcast incident crossed the line.

As one source in the know put it, Candace often bragged about being one of the best communicators in media, so the DW execs felt "she knew what she was doing."

We're also told Shapiro was not involved in the decision to fire Candace, and he doesn't have any power to do so.

Candace addressed her feud with Ben when she was on "The Breakfast Club" Thursday, saying she was not anti-Israel or antisemitic ... she's simply against all forms of genocide. A source connected to Candace insists the same, telling us "She's obviously not an antisemite."

Mark Ruffalo's calendar just opened up a bit ... 'cause a conference he was supposed to speak at just canceled his appearance, and his support for Palestine seems to be the key.

The actor was all set to speak at MTMP -- a conference for lawyers and their paralegals to discuss the ins and outs of class action lawsuits, etc. The conference is taking place in early April, but now ... it appears Ruffalo won't be there, 'cause they're nixing him from the lineup.

The event's organizers sent out a statement to the attendees this week saying Mark had been invited to speak at the conference after playing an environmental activist/attorney in the movie "Dark Waters" back in 2019 -- which touched on a lot of the things they already do in the real world ... so they wanted to have him show up and speak to the same issues.

Ruffalo -- an environmental activist himself -- was set to be a big-time guest for the conference, but the event said this was before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 ... and more importantly, before Ruffalo's very public support of Palestine, especially at the Oscars.

ICYMI ... Mark spoke with reporters at the Oscars and showed visible excitement while heading in over a Palestinian protest that delayed him. He also donned a pin representing Artists Call for Ceasefire Now ... so yeah, he was leaning into his pro-Palestine position.

It seems Ruffalo's stance is too controversial for the MTMP conference ... because organizers say they didn't want the event to be overshadowed by the war in the Middle East, and by Mark as well. Instead, they say they're canceling Ruffalo's appearance -- despite possibly losing their speaking fee in the process -- and asked the attendees not to boycott the event.

Ruffalo's been an outspoken advocate for a number of causes over the years, and that hasn't stopped since the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 or the subsequent invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel.

Back in November, Ruffalo called out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for referring to Palestinians in Gaza as "collateral damage" while also sharing a petition to end "child bloodshed" in the region the month before.

On its face, it seems not everyone who was planning to go to MTMP was happy with his recent comments ... and, it looks like it's affecting gigs of his, including this one.

La agenda de Mark Ruffalo se acaba de despejar un poco, luego que una conferencia en la que iba a hablar cancelara su aparición y el motivo parece ser su apoyo a Palestina.

El actor iba a intervenir en MTMP, una conferencia de abogados en la que se debaten los entresijos de las demandas colectivas, etc. La conferencia iba a tener lugar a principios de abril, pero ahora parece que Ruffalo no estará allí, porque lo han borrado del programa.

Los organizadores del evento enviaron un comunicado a los asistentes esta semana diciendo que Mark había sido invitado a hablar en la conferencia después de interpretar a un activista ambiental y abogado en la película "Dark Waters" en 2019, la que abordó muchas de las cosas que ya hacen en el mundo real, por lo que querían que se presentara y hablara de los mismos temas.

El propio Ruffalo es un activista por el medio ambiente y había sido calificado como uno de los grandes invitados de la conferencia, pero el evento dijo que esto fue antes de que Hamás atacara a Israel el 7 de octubre, y lo más importante, antes del apoyo público que Ruffalo dio a Palestina, especialmente en los Oscar.

Por si se lo perdieron, Mark habló con los periodistas en los Oscar y se mostró visiblemente emocionado mientras se dirigía a una protesta palestina que lo retrasó. También se puso un pin que representaba a Artists Call for Ceasefire Now, así que sí, estaba inclinándose hacia su posición pro-Palestina.

Parece que la postura de Ruffalo es demasiado controvertida para la conferencia MTMP porque los organizadores dicen que no querían que el evento se viera ensombrecido por la guerra en Medio Oriente, y por ende por Mark. En su lugar, dicen que están cancelando la aparición de Ruffalo, a pesar de la posibilidad de perder su cuota de intervención en el proceso, y le pidieron a los asistentes que no boicotearan el evento.

Ruffalo ha sido un abierto defensor de varias causas a lo largo de los años, y eso no ha parado desde el ataque sorpresa de Hamás el 7 de octubre o la posterior invasión de la Franja de Gaza por parte de Israel.

Ya en noviembre, Ruffalo criticó al primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, por referirse a los palestinos de Gaza como "daños colaterales", al tiempo que compartió una petición para poner fin al "derramamiento de sangre infantil" en la región el mes anterior.

A primera vista, parece que no todos los que planeaban ir a MTMP estaban contentos con sus recientes comentarios ... y, parece que está afectando a conciertos suyos, incluyendo éste.

Floyd Mayweather envió miles de kilos de suministros a Israel en octubre, y ahora la leyenda del boxeo se ha entregado a sí mismo... aterrizando en Tel Aviv y subiéndole el ánimo a soldados, trabajadores de rescate y civiles.

Desde el ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás, sería difícil encontrar una celebridad más abiertamente pro israelí que Floyd. Sin embargo, él quería hacer más, así que se subió a su jet privado y voló a Israel, donde recientemente aterrizó en Tel Aviv.

Mayweather ha estado por todas partes, incluyendo una parada en una base de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel, donde nos informan que organizó una comida para los militares.

Por supuesto, Floyd es uno de los mejores boxeadores de la historia, y ya que la base de las IDF tenía un ring de boxeo, Mayweather hizo de sparring con algunos de los soldados.

Floyd también hizo una parada en la sede de United Hatzalah, un servicio ambulatorio en Jerusalén, además del banco de sangre Magen David Adom.

Mayweather, que está en Israel con sus amigos -Jona Rechnitz y Avi Hiaeve (de Avi & Co.)-, pasó tiempo en el Muro Occidental, un lugar sagrado, donde nos dicen que oró por la paz.

Le obsequiaron una kipá TMT personalizada del rabino Steven Burg, además de un impresionante collar de la Estrella de David, cortesía de los joyeros de Diamond Club Miami.

Por último, pero no menos importante, Mayweather recibió una pintura única en su tipo, la cual le fue entregada por el músico israelí Osher Cohen.

Floyd Mayweather sent thousands of pounds of supplies to Israel in October, and now the boxing legend has delivered himself ... touching down in Tel Aviv, and lifting the spirits of soldiers, rescue workers, and civilians.

Since the October 7 Hamas attack, you'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity more outwardly supportive of the Israeli cause than the 50-0 fighter ... but Floyd wanted to do more, so he hopped on his private jet and flew to Israel, where he recently touched down in Tel Aviv.

Mayweather has been all over the place, including a stop at an Israel Defense Forces base where we're told he hosted a BBQ for the military!

Of course, Floyd's one of the greatest boxers ever ... and since the IDF base had a boxing ring, Mayweather sparred with some of the IDF. No word if he took his first L.

Floyd also made a stop at the headquarters of United Hatzalah, an ambulatory service, in Jerusalem ... in addition to the Magen David Adom blood bank.

Mayweather, who is in Israel with friends Jona Rechnitz and Avi Hiaeve (of Avi & Co.), spent time at the Western Wall, a holy site ... where we're told he prayed for peace.

Floyd was gifted a custom blinged-out TMT kippah from Rabbi Steven Burg, in addition to an awesome Star of David necklace pendant from the jewelers at Diamond Club Miami.

Last but not least, Mayweather received a one-of-a-kind painting as well ... which was presented to him, from Israeli musician Osher Cohen.

As Hollywood's rich and famous trickle in for the Oscars this weekend -- a massive protest is going down just a stone's throw away ... with folks hitting the streets to speak on Palestine.

A huge demonstration is unfolding about a mile away from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood Sunday -- at none other than the Dome Entertainment Centre, in fact -- where hundreds of people gathered with signage, megaphones and Palestinian flags ... while up in arms.

Of course, this is a pro-Palestine protest -- one that's been organized by groups like Writers Against the War on Gaza LA, Film Workers for Palestine, SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire and others ... with their main message being, "No awards during a genocide!"

Another tagline being used for this protest ... "While You're Watching Bombs Are Dropping."

It goes without saying ... these folks are protesting against the ongoing war in the Middle East -- this as Gaza continues to be under siege as Israel seeks to eradicate Hamas.

As you can see ... tensions were high here, as people chanted and made their voices heard ahead of the biggest night in Hollywood. The Oscars are just about an hour from starting.

Unfortunately for these demonstrators, they won't be getting much closer to the actual Oscars venue itself -- the Dolby Theater is blocked off by cops, who've set a wide perimeter ... and who are standing guard with their riot gear ready to go in case things escalate.

Meanwhile ... the stars are getting ready for the big show -- lots of red-carpet arrivals are happening right now ... and they don't seem too worried about the ruckus up the block.

El presidente Joe Biden no está guardando tanta privacidad para expresar su frustración con Benjamin Netanyahu y la forma en que está manejando la guerra en el Medio Oriente, diciendo que el primer ministro de Israel tiene que ver la luz.

El Presidente estuvo hablando con el senador Michael Bennet de Colorado en la Cámara el jueves después de pronunciar el discurso sobre el Estado de la Unión, y parece que no se dio cuenta de que estaba siendo grabado por un camarógrafo sigiloso.

Se puede decir que Joe estaba tratando de tener una conversación privada, lo que queda en evidencia por lo que dijo, que fue recogido por un micrófono: "Le dije, Bibi, y no repitas esto, pero tú y yo vamos a tener un come to Jesus moment'".

Joe, obviamente, estaba usando una frase que significa llegar a una gran realización acerca de algo, pero la frase está levantando sospechas, pues Benjamin Netanyahu es judío.

Parece que su personal se dio cuenta de que estaba hablando mal porque un ayudante se apresuró y al parecer le dijo al oído que se callara. Joe hizo exactamente eso, o eso parece.

Biden fue presionado sobre esto el viernes cuando se preparaba para abordar el Air Force One para un viaje de campaña en Filadelfia, donde los periodistas le preguntaron por qué hizo ese comentario.

En un primer momento, Biden explicó que no lo dijo en su discurso, pero cuando los periodistas le preguntaron acerca de lo que dijo a los legisladores después del discurso, culpó a los medios de comunicación por "escuchar a escondidas".

En su SOTU, Biden anunció que está dirigiendo el ejército de Estados Unidos para instalar un muelle junto al mar en Gaza que permitirá una afluencia masiva de ayuda para los palestinos. Pero escuchen, suena como que quiere que Netanyahu haga más en términos de ayuda humanitaria también.

President Joe Biden is not-so-privately expressing frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu and how he's handling the war in the Middle East ... saying Israel's PM needs to see the light -- as in Christ.

The Prez was talking to Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado on the House chamber floor Thursday after his State of the Union address -- which he didn't seem to realize was being recorded by a stealthy cameraman.

You can tell Joe was trying to have a private convo -- evidenced by what he said, which got picked up on a hot mic... "I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting."

Joe obviously was using a phrase that means coming to some grand realization about something -- but the phrasing is raisin' some eyebrows ... y'know, since BN is Jewish.

It seems like his staff realized he was misspeaking -- 'cause an aide rushed over and got into his ear, seemingly telling him to zip it and move on. Joe did exactly that, or so it seems.

Biden was pressed about this on Friday when he was getting ready to board Air Force One for a campaign trip to Philadelphia ... with reporters asking him why he made the comment.

At first, Biden says he didn't say it in his speech -- but when reporters ask him about what he told lawmakers after the SOTU ... he blamed the media for "eavesdropping."

In his SOTU, Biden announced he's directing the U.S. military to install a seaside pier in Gaza that will allow for a massive influx of aid to Palestinians ... but take a listen, it sounds like he wants Netanyahu to do more in terms of humanitarian aid too.

"134 Innocent Hostages including 6 Americans are still being held by Hamas, Gazans and Palestinians. Not one word DEMANDING THEIR RELEASE from our President."

That's Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl ripping into Joe Biden ... and suffice it to say, he wasn't a fan of POTUS' State of the Union speech Thursday night.

63-year-old Pearl, who is Jewish, laid into the 81-year-old president for failing to adequately pressure Hamas to release over 100 hostages that they took during the October 7 attacks in Israel during his third SOTU speech.

"On Oct 7th the Jewish People experienced the worst genocide since the Holocaust and we hear more about the suffering of Gazans than the constant threat for survival Israel and the Jewish people live with everyday!" Pearl wrote on X.

"And let's reward them with another State and launching pad for terror. Your lack of support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel was loud and clear Mr President!"

Of course, the coach is referencing Biden's push for a "two-state solution" in the region ... something he clearly believes is a bad idea.

On Friday, Pearl, who has been at Auburn since 2014, wasn't ready to move on ... and again went to social media to air out JB.

"President Biden saying 'I won't rest until we get the hostages home' isn't getting it done," Bruce tweeted, referencing a line from the president's speech, before urging action from POTUS and one of his top cabinet officials, the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

Pearl is referencing a line from Biden's SOTU ... where he said, "We will not rest until we bring their loved ones home." The coach wants much more done.

"Send [Blinken] to Qatar and tell Hamas leaders they have a limited number of days to release all hostages and surrender. If they refuse Israel gets the green light to destroy Hamas and them!"

The United States, Israel, and Hamas, as well as other involved parties, are negotiating in Cairo, in an effort to strike a deal for a temporary ceasefire which would presumably lead to the release of at least some of the more than 100 remaining hostages.

Amanda Seales ain't holding back when it comes to sharing her thoughts on President Biden's approach to the Israeli conflict in Gaza, and she firmly believes it could cost him the election.

We got the "Insecure" actress Monday at LAX, and she says the Biden administration needs to tune in to what the majority of Americans are demanding -- pushing for a permanent ceasefire and ensuring Palestinians aren't living under constant threat of violence and death anymore.

Amanda adds that she's lost confidence in Biden due to what she sees as a lack of action on his part -- and, at this point, she thinks a lot of people might only vote for him because they're settling for the "lesser evil."

Not exactly a proud position for the Prez to be in, according to AS.

Now, mind you, VP Kamala Harris did make a very direct call on Sunday for Israel and Hamas to reach an "immediate ceasefire," and for Israel to increase the flow of aid to Gaza.

Still, Amanda's not pulling any punches with the administration on this issue. She's labeling the whole situation demoralizing and inhumane, and calling for some real action and empathy from the top.

Hunter Schafer -- one of the stars of the TV show "Euphoria" -- was taken away in handcuffs Monday while protesting the Israel-Hamas war in NYC ... this during President Joe Biden's visit.

Check out the photo ... Sporting a t-shirt that read "Cease Fire Now" -- obviously calling for an end to the fighting going on in Gaza -- the actress was escorted away by an NYPD officer with her hands cuffed behind her back at Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan.

Schafer was one of 33 "Jewish Voice For Peace" protesters arrested Monday afternoon and issued two summonses for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Both charges are less serious violations of the law.

Schafer, who plays Jules on "Euphoria," was protesting the military fight in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. The two rivals began their latest battle October 7, 2023, after Hamas terrorists invaded the Jewish state, slaughtering 1,200 Israelis during a sneak attack.

Since then, Israel has waged a violent and deadly conflict against the militants, who control Gaza and the Palestinians living under their rule. Many Palestinians have lost their lives, sparking anger and protests around the world, including in the United States.

Yesterday, videos posted to social media showed the "Jewish Voice" group sitting in the lobby of Rockefeller Center while waving banners that read "Jews to Biden: Stop arming genocide” and “Lasting cease-fire."

Hunter Schafer, una de las estrellas de la serie de televisión "Euphoria", fue esposada el lunes mientras protestaba contra la guerra entre Israel-Hamas en Nueva York, durante la visita del Presidente Joe Biden.

Echa un vistazo a la foto, la actriz llevaba una camiseta que decía "Alto al fuego ahora", en alusión al llamado a poner fin a los combates en Gaza. En la imagen se ve cómo es escoltada por un oficial de la policía de Nueva York con las manos esposadas en la espalda en Rockefeller Plaza en el centro de Manhattan.

Schafer fue una de los 33 manifestantes de "Jewish Voice For Peace" detenidos el lunes por la tarde. La actriz recibió dos citaciones por allanamiento y alteración del orden público. Ambos cargos son violaciones menos graves de la ley.

Schafer, quien interpreta a Jules en "Euphoria", protestaba contra la lucha militar en la Franja de Gaza entre Israel y Hamás. Los dos rivales iniciaron su última batalla el 7 de octubre de 2023, después de que terroristas de Hamás invadieran el Estado judío y masacraran a 1.200 israelíes durante un ataque furtivo.

Desde entonces, Israel ha librado un violento y mortífero conflicto contra los militantes, que controlan Gaza y a los palestinos que viven bajo su dominio. Muchos palestinos han perdido la vida, lo que ha desatado la ira y las protestas en todo el mundo, incluido Estados Unidos.

Videos publicados ayer en las redes sociales mostraban al grupo "Jewish Voice" sentado en el vestíbulo del Rockefeller Center mientras ondeaban pancartas en las que se podía leer "Jews to Biden: Stop arming genocide" y "Lasting cease-fire".

Un hombre se prendió fuego frente a la embajada israelí en Washington D.C., al parecer, en protesta por el conflicto en Oriente Medio.

Imágenes del manifestante han estado circulando en línea en medio de su acto de auto-inmolación, y se informó que fue llevado de urgencia al hospital con lesiones que amenazan la vida.

Funcionarios de bomberos de D.C. habrían dicho a The Independent que el hombre se prendió fuego por la tarde y fue extinguido por el Servicio Secreto de los Estados Unidos.

El video capturado desde el exterior de la embajada parece mostrar las secuelas de la protesta, y se puede ver a los investigadores buscando en la zona.

El escuadrón de bombas del Departamento de Policía de Metrolitan también fue llamado para comprobar un vehículo sospechoso en la zona, pero en última instancia, dijo que no contenía material peligroso.

El New York Times informó de que el hombre se identificó como un soldado en servicio activo de la Fuerza Aérea, mientras que otros medios de comunicación afirman que dijo: "No seré más cómplice del genocidio" antes de iniciar el fuego.

Todo esto parece una enorme protesta contra el conflicto entre Israel y Hamás que actualmente asola Oriente Medio. Todo empeoró cuando agentes de Hamás atacaron un festival de música matando a cientos de inocentes y tomando rehenes el 7 de octubre de 2023.

Israel respondió lanzando una guerra total contra Hamás en Gaza y las tensiones entre ambos bandos -y sus partidarios- se han disparado desde entonces.

The Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in D.C. in protest against Israel has died ... and video of the horrific incident has now surfaced.

Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old from San Antonio, was identified by the Metropolitan Police Department as the man who set himself ablaze Sunday ... and he actually live streamed the whole thing himself on Twitch just before 1 PM ET, which you can watch here -- but brace yourself, it's harrowing, to say the least.

It's a chilling image ... you can see Bushnell casually walking up to the gates of the Israeli Embassy, talking straight to the camera, saying he won't be complicit in genocide anymore. He adds how whatever protest he's about to engage in is nothing compared to what Palestinians have been going through at the hands of their colonizers.

He then positions his camera on the ground, douses himself in accelerant, and ignites the flames ... all while yelling, "Free Palestine!!"

Bushnell was extinguished by the United States Secret Service and was rushed to the hospital with his life-threatening injuries -- and we all now know he didn't make it.

The Air Force said in a statement Monday: "The individual involved in yesterday's incident succumbed to his injuries and passed away last night."

On top of everything else, the Metropolitan Police Department's bomb squad got called in to check out a suspicious vehicle in the area. Thankfully, they determined that the vehicle didn't contain any hazardous material.

The massive protest against the conflict between Israel and Hamas kicked off when Hamas agents attacked a music festival -- killing hundreds and taking more hostage on October 7, 2023.

Jerry Seinfeld abandonó el discurso anual sobre el Estado de la Judería Mundial el domingo por la noche en Nueva York ante manifestantes antiisraelíes que le acusaban de apoyar el genocidio... pero no pareció inmutarse.

Échale un vistazo al video, un coro de personas cantan, "partidario del genocidio, que apoya el genocidio", al ver al comediante fuera de la sede de Manhattan después del evento que contó con el columnista Bari Weiss, fundador de The Free Press.

Como se puede ver, Jerry está muy tranquilo, incluso expuesto a toda la rabia. Esboza una sonrisa y saluda con la mano antes de meterse despreocupadamente en la parte trasera de un todoterreno negro rodeado de agentes de la policía de Nueva York.

Incluso después de que Jerry se fue, los manifestantes seguían gritando: "Jódanse, apoyan el genocidio".

Parece que todo el alboroto contra Jerry se debió a su apoyo a la oradora principal del evento, Weiss, conocida por su firme apoyo a Israel.

Weiss ha sido muy criticada por criticar a Refaat Alareer, un profesor y poeta palestino que perdió la vida trágicamente en un ataque aéreo israelí en diciembre.

Pero, volviendo a la manifestación ante el 92Y, en el Upper East Side de Nueva York... no tuvo precisamente mucha convocatoria. La policía se presentó y terminó arrestando a dos manifestantes.