Penélope Cruz Clarifies Gaza Genocide Statement
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ABC/RICK ROWELL(NEW YORK) — Penélope Cruz has issued a statement in an effort to clarify an open letter she signed with husband Javier Bardem that described Israel’s military action against the Gaza Strip as “genocide.”
According to E! News, the open letter, which was published Tuesday in several Spanish newspapers and also signed by director Pedro Almodovar, stated that “Gaza is living through horror these days, besieged and attacked by land, sea and air.” The letter claimed Palestinians are being denied water, electricity [and] free movement to their hospitals, schools and fields while the international community does nothing.” The letter called for an end to “the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army in the Gaza strip against Palestinian civilians.”
In her clarifying statement, Cruz explains, “I don’t want to be misunderstood on this important subject. I’m not an expert on the situation and I’m aware of the complexity of it.” She goes on to write, “My only wish and intention in signing that group letter is the hope that there will be peace in both Israel and Gaza. I am hopeful all parties can agree to a cease fire and there are no more innocent victims on either side of the border. I wish for unity, and peace…I believe in a civilization that can be capable of bringing the courage to have a world where humans can live side by side.”
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