The Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, were the lowest display of humanity in the deadliest attacks of recent years. The world condemned the militant group based in Palestine for its inhumane atrocities. To top it off, Israel’s retaliation on Gaza led it to absolute ruins.
The state of war has ignited genocide, displacement, and propagating hate in a bisected world that is taking either side. This hate has infested outside boundaries as well, as the recent stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Illinois by their landlord who said, “you mulsims must die” before taking an innocent life.
Meanwhile, several celebrities, brands, and corporations are criticized for their solidarity with either side.
From Jamie Lee Curtis’s misinformed post to Pink flying a Poi flag that looked like Israeli representation and the Starbucks workers’ union’s open condemnation of Israeli forces for Palestinian wipeout has stirred polarizing opinions on social media, also crossing the fine line between anti-semitism and Islamophobia.
And with one life claimed every second we draw opinions, influential figures are held accountable for spreading false claims or making radical comments. One such celebrity who has recently been under fire is a voice actor.
Tara Strong, a Jewish Canadian voice actor, received flak for her series of tweets chastising the Hamas attacks and anyone who supports them. This also resulted in her recast in Boxtown’s upcoming animated series, replacing her with the character of Bill, the orphan. The actress claims she was fired because she is Jewish. However, the makers deny this.
What Did Tara Strong Say on Twitter?
After the terrifying attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Tara Strong tweeted her contempt for the militant group–
“For those who support the actions of #Hamas; when they infiltrate your hometown, on your soil, break into Jewish homes, r*ping, beheading innocent babies, will you applaud them? Will you wave their flag while they slaughter Christians & Muslims who don’t believe their ideologies?”
Although her later tweets were deleted, she had reportedly liked a post that equated all of Islam to the terrorist groups ISIS and Hamas. Below are some more posts she endorsed on her account.
This deeply rooted Islamophobia dilutes the ongoing Gaza genocide. When there is an absolute need for a peace treaty, these opinions are certainly propagating the war further.
Why Was Tara Strong Recast?
Tara Strong, a Canadian resident and Jewish actress, has lent her voice to several iconic animation characters, starting her journey in 1987.
However, the 50-year-old actress received immense backlash for her racist tweet and for minimizing the atrocities on Palestine by deliberately not including Israel’s retaliation while replying to the criticizing comments. In some instances, she also celebrated Israel’s successful annihilation of Gaza, which lies in complete blackout and utter ruins.
Thus, the executives of Boxtown, which produces several animated series, recast Strong from their upcoming animated series.
They posted about the recent update of replacing Strong with the character of Bill, the orphan.
Tara Strong claims that she found out that she was fired through the post and alleged the makers removed her from the role because she is Jewish.
“This is what happens when you help fans get shows made, I guess. Fired for being Jewish. Glad I helped you get your kickstarter money. Please lose my email address & pray for my family in Israel and in Gaza.”
However, one of the Boxtown employees quickly corrected her, stating that he is also Jewish and her firing had nothing to do with her faith but her radical beliefs and hate for another race.
Meanwhile, netizens reacted to the fiasco where someone couldn’t believe that the beloved voice actor was spreading hate. On the other spectrum, people believed that no one should be fired on account of their opinions.
What is your verdict? Do you think Tara Strong was wrong to propagate hate against a race? Or do you believe she is right in condemning Hamas?
Was her firing justified? Let us know in the comments section below.
