Cruz faces backlash after open letter on Gaza conflict
Spanish celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Pedro Almodovar and Javier Bardem, along with other Spaniard directors and musicians, have gone public with their views on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
They penned an open letter to Spanish media, Mail Online reported.
The letter "condemns Israel's bombing by land, sea and air against the Palestinian civilian population", which has now claimed about 1,300 lives, the reported stated.
Cruz's intent may have been good, but she is facing a backlash especially after she accused Israel of "state terrorism".
In a message on Thursday from her representative to USA Today, Cruz said she did not 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. 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 ceasefire 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."
Penelope Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem.
In the letter published by Spanish news service Europa Press, the celebrities said: "Palestinians' homes are being destroyed, they are being denied water, electricity, free movement to their hospitals, schools and fields while the international community does nothing."
The letter also spoke of the detrimental "physical, moral, psychological" effects that the situation is having on the people of Gaza, and also called for an end to the Israeli blockade.
Sources: USA Today, Mail Online
Photos: AFP and Twitter
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now