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Creative Community for Peace

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Creative Community for Peace
Formation2011
TypeNon-profit
HeadquartersCalifornia
Websitewww.creativecommunityforpeace.com

Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a pro-Israel organization which works to counter anti-Israel sentiment in the entertainment industry.[1] It was founded in 2011 by David Renzer, Steve Schnur, and Ran Geffen-Lifshitz. CCFP is strongly opposed to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

CCFP contacts celebrities who are scheduled to perform in Israel, attempting to counter BDS lobbying for them to cancel their appearances. CCFP describes its role as supporting and informing artists.[2][3]

Founding

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Creative Community for Peace was founded in 2011 by David Renzer, the former CEO of Universal Music Publishing, Steve Schnur, and Ran Geffen-Lifshitz, founder of MMG Music. The founders decided to start the organization during a 2011 breakfast meeting at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv while discussing the BDS movement. They asked friends and coworkers in Hollywood to contact celebrities scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv to counter BDS efforts lobbying for cancellations of their appearances in Israel.[4]

Views

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Creative Community for Peace is a pro-Israel organization that works to counter anti-Israel sentiment in the entertainment industry.[4][5][1][6] The organization's website focuses on Israel's cultural diversity and technology, with less focus on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[5] CCFP co-founder Ran Geffen-Lifshitz stated in 2014 that the sole purpose of CCFP is to assist artists and performers with navigating appearances in Israel.[4]

Co-founder Steve Schnur said in 2019 that CCFP is apolitical and non-religious.[7] Renzer said that their vision is that through "dialogue and conversation and education" there would eventually be a peaceful resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[2] CCFP Director, Ari praised apolitical statements supporting peace from Rihanna and DJ Khaled who respectively said "stand[s] with humanity" and "love and light and prayers."[8] Their website describes CCFP as a group composed of members with diverse political views about how Israel can attain peace.[4]

Ari Ingel, director of CCFP, claims that misinformation about Israel is being spread online and amplified by social media influencers who lack a full understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.[8] Ingel criticized Clubhouse for not monitoring hate speech, noting a prevalence of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories and antisemitic tropes in the app.[9]

The organization is opposed to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. In 2013, The Forward wrote that they dispute the use of the term occupation to describe Israel's occupation of the West Bank. They take position that Israeli settlements are not an obstacle to peace and dispute claims that Israel is practicing apartheid.[5] CCFP believes that performers boycotting Israel is not going to create peace.[6] CCFP has made claims that some artists have been harassed or even physically threatened by BDS groups.[10]

CCFP is opposed to Hamas.[8]

Renzer says CCFP seeks to create multicultural experiences and events.[7][2] Renzer has also expressed support for the Black community, while insisting that Louis Farrakhan distance himself from his "previous anti-Semitic comments".[11] Ingel expressed support for the Black community's fight for justice in the United States, but added that "fighting racism with antisemitism is unacceptable."[1] In 2020, Renzer spoke of how Jews and African Americans have a long history of standing together for civil rights. He spoke of a desire to work with the Black entertainment community to "amplify voices of reason".[12] Ingel works with the Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance in addition to CCFP.[9]

Activity

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When it was founded, Creative Community for Peace began reaching out to celebrities who were scheduled to play in Tel Aviv in an attempt to counter BDS lobbying for celebrities to cancel their appearances in Israel.[4] In 2013, Lana Melman, then-director of CCFP, said its members use their personal connections to reach out to other artists and give them "balanced information" about Israel, additionally educating them about "the artistic freedom there, and work[ing] to arrest potential cancellations". David Siegel, consul general for Israel in Los Angeles, said in 2013 that "[CCFP are] effective because they work from inside the industry."[5] CCFP reaches out to every major artist or performer who is going to play in Israel, and helps prepare them for the coordinated BDS campaign they're going to face.[4]

In 2013, BDS activists organized a petition to try to convince Alicia Keys not to play in "apartheid Israel" which got 16,000 signatures. In response, CCFP board members disputed the apartheid comparison, and organized their own petition which received 18,000 signatures; Keys ended up playing in Israel.[5]

Six weeks after the beginning of the 2014 Gaza War, CCFP published a petition signed by almost 200 Hollywood figures in Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. The petition expressed support for Israel and criticized Hamas. The language of the petition called for peace and expressed sadness over the loss of life on both sides, and described Hamas as a terrorist organization determined to try to destroy Israel.[4]

In 2018, CCFP hosted their inaugural "Ambassadors of Peace" event with more than 400 attendees. Scooter Braun, who was one of the award winners, said at the event "the best way we can change the world is coming together and having a dialogue with the intention that all people are good people, and I think this organization pushes for that" [13][14]

In 2019, 11,200 signed a CCFP petition expressing support for the planned Eurovision Song Contest which was scheduled to happen in Israel.[15]

In 2019, CCFP hosted their second "Ambassadors of Peace" event with more than 400 entertainment industry executives in attendance. Ziggy Marley was honored at the event as one of their Ambassadors. Jacqueline Saturn was also celebrated as an "Ambassador". Another winner Aaron Bay-Schuck described CCFP as an organization which "understands that music is a force for change. Bay-Schuck also added that "the BDS movement is cowardly, hypocritical and bullying in its purest form."[3][7]

During the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, more than 125 entertainment industry figures, including Gene Simmons and Michael Bublé, signed a CCFP open letter urging peace in the Middle East and an end to inflammatory one-sided accounts. The letter also acknowledged the pain and loss on both sides of the conflict.[8]

After the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, CCFP released an open letter "unequivocally voicing support for Israel and condemning Hamas' terrorism."[16] Over 700 entertainment industry figures signed, including Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Douglas, Helen Mirren, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Chris Pine, Andy García, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hamill, Ziggy Marley, Zachary Levi, Howie Mandel, John Fogerty, Chuck Liddell, Jason Alexander, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Gal Gadot.[17]

In 2024, CCFP petitioned National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with 150 signatures from the entertainment industry to rescind the Emmy Awards nomination of Bisan Owda's documentary, "It's Bisan from Gaza and I'm still alive," which features her and her family's displacement from Beit Hanoun. CCFP alleged that Owda is connected to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. NATAS responded with details of their editorial process, including finding no evidence of Owda having active involvement with PFLP.[18]

In fall 2024, CCFP released an open letter opposing boycotts of Israeli and Jewish authors and literary institutions. The letter decried efforts to "demonize and ostracize Jewish authors across the globe".[19][20] It was signed by over 1,000 entertainers, authors and artists, including Nobel Prize winners Elfriede Jelinek and Herta Müller, Booker winner Howard Jacobson, Mayim Bialik, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Pulitzer winner David Mamet, Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons, Debra Messing, Rebecca De Mornay, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julianna Margulies, Jerry O'Connell, Scooter Braun, Jenji Kohan, Adam Gopnik, Diane Warren, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Lionel Shriver, and Amy Sherman-Palladino.[19]

Celebrity involvement

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The BDS movement was active in trying to get Alicia Keys not to visit Israel. CCFP worked with her management team to help facilitate her trip. They also connected her with Idan Raichel, whom they say is focused on using music as a means of peace and co-existence. Keys performed in Israel with a multi-cultural group of musicians.[2]

Bhad Bhabie made an appearance at CCFP's 2019 Ambassadors of Peace event. She posted a picture of herself at the event, tagging CCFP and captioning it "BHABIE SUPPORTS PEACE BICH".

Despite BDS protests, she went ahead with a concert in Tel Aviv-Yafo.[21][22]

CCFP worked closely with Cyndi Lauper and her team on a trip to Israel, organizing an event at Tel Aviv's LGBT Center. Lauper praised Israel's "warmth, democracy and diversity." Times of Israel describes the event as a "huge success for Israel advocacy".[2][4]

Diane Warren is active with CCFP. Brian Fishbach says "the arts are a vital mechanism in creating lasting change" and "Diane Warren knows what it takes to bridge divides." And Warren says "nothing can change the world like music."[6]

In 2013, Eric Burdon cancelled a show in Tel Aviv after pressure from BDS activists. According to CCFP, the BDS activism was "violent" and Burdon feared for his safety. CCFP reached out to him, convinced him he would be safe in Israel, and went ahead with the originally planned show.[23][4]

Haim Saban is a supporter of CCFP.[7]

CCFP released a video from Shaquille O'Neal wishing all Jews a happy Sukkot.[24]

Ziggy Marley was honored as an Ambassador of Peace and a 2019 CCFP event.[3]

Connection to StandWithUs

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While waiting for approval of its tax-exempt status, CCFP partnered with the nonprofit organization StandWithUs in order to be able to receive donations.

The Forward reported in 2013, that CCFP didn't have tax-exempt status yet, the partnership was ongoing, and that CCFP was additionally sharing office space with SWU. In a press release shared in full on Billboard, CCFP explains that as a young organization CCFP cut costs sharing accounting and HR services with SWU; both groups paid their share.[2] Adalah-NY has claimed that Creative Community for Peace is a branch of StandWithUs.[4]

The group's founders have maintained that there is no formal partnership between CCFP and SWU.[4] David Renzer told The Forward that CCFP had always been independent from SWU and had "no day-to-day relationship" with the organization.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Chelsea Handler finally deletes Farrakhan video after days of outrage". Jewish Insider. June 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f ""Creative Community for Peace on Urging Artists to Play Israel & Challenging Roger Waters to a Debate"". billboard.com. January 5, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Ziggy Marley Honored by Anti-BDS Group for Performing in Israel Despite Backlash". CBN News. October 3, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kamin, Debra (24 August 2014). "To counter BDS, it's who you know (in Hollywood)". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Guttman, Nathan (October 22, 2013). "Hollywood Insiders Form Group To Counter Celebrity BDS Campaigns". The Forward. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Fishbach, Brian (26 April 2021). ""12-time Oscar Nominee and Non-profit are Bringing Adversaries and Art Together for Peace"". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Trakin, Roy (30 September 2019). "Creative Community for Peace Urges 'Interaction and Co-Existence' at Gala Fundraiser". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Saval, Malina (17 May 2021). "More Than 125 Entertainment Professionals Sign Open Letter Urging Peace in Middle East". Variety. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  9. ^ a b Roundtree, Cheyenne (May 15, 2021). "LaKeith Stanfield Comes Clean on His Anti-Semitism Controversy and Swastika Video". The Daily Beast – via www.thedailybeast.com.
  10. ^ ""Lorde is only the latest: How touring in Israel thrusts musicians into controversy"". January 12, 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  11. ^ "Chelsea Handler Calls Farrakhan Video 'Powerful'". Jewish Journal. June 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "Charlamagne Tha God Says Viacom Dropping Nick Cannon Shows Jews 'Have the Power'". Jewish Journal. July 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "Ambassadors of Peace, Kickin' Cancer!". Jewish Journal. October 11, 2018.
  14. ^ Trakin, Roy (October 5, 2018). "Scooter Braun, Geffen's Neil Jacobson, Warner Music's Aton Ben-Horin Honored as Ambassadors of Peace".
  15. ^ Reporter, Jewish News (9 March 2019). "BDS protesters urge Irish broadcaster to boycott Eurovision in Israel". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com.
  16. ^ "Hundreds of entertainers sign letter in support of Israel". Reuters. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  17. ^ Brown, Hannah (2023-10-13). "Entertainment industry leaders sign letter, pledge money in support of Israel". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  18. ^ Rice, Lynette (2024-08-20). "NATAS Responds To Request To Rescind Emmy Nom For Palestinian Journo Behind Doc "It's Bisan From Gaza And I'm Still Alive"". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  19. ^ a b Brown, Hannah (2024-10-30). "Authors and entertainers sign CCFP letter against Israeli literature boycott". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  20. ^ Khomami, Nadia (2024-10-30). "Nobel and Pulitzer winners denounce 'dangerous' Israel cultural boycott". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  21. ^ "Bhad Bhabie concert in Jordan canceled over Israel support". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 19 June 2019.
  22. ^ ""Bhad Bhabie catches Tel Aviv outside despite conflicts with BDS"". www.jpost.com. July 11, 2019.
  23. ^ Horovitz, David. "Eric Burdon rocks Israel — no misunderstanding". www.timesofisrael.com.
  24. ^ Zaig, Gadi (22 September 2021). "Former NBA athlete Shaquille O'Neal wishes Jews a happy Sukkot". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
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