OUTLANDER actor Sam Heughan has issued an apologetic statement after signing a letter from thousands of creatives calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The open letter from more than 3000 artists, including Tilda Swinton, Frankie Boyle and Peter Mullan, accused western governments of “aiding and abetting” Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
The Artists for Palestine letter calls for governments to stop supporting Israel’s bombardment, whether through military assistant or political backing.
"We support the global movement against the destruction of Gaza and the mass displacement of the Palestinian people,” they state.
"We demand that our governments end their military and political support for Israel’s actions. We call for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gaza’s crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered."
READ MORE: Nine Scottish Labour officials quit after being 'gagged' over Gaza
While the letter states it condemns “every act of violence against civilians … whoever perpetrates them”, some criticised the group for failing to explicitly condemn Hamas’s attacks on Israel.
David Mencer, former director of Labour Friends of Israel, hit out at artists for signing it – describing them as a group of “misfits and weirdos”.
“I invite them to rescue their alien careers and try their chances as artists in Gaza under the Hamas regime,” he told GB News.
Following backlash, Scottish screen star Heughan suggested he would be removing his signature – and no longer supported the message from Artists for Palestine.
“I inadvertently signed something that does not reflect my beliefs,” he wrote in a statement on X/Twitter.
“I believed it was a simple call for PEACE … it wasn’t.”
He went on: “I condemn violence in any form. I stand against terrorism and evil and am heartbroken and appalled by the recent horrific actions by Hamas.
“I don’t know nearly enough and trying to education myself on the conflicts in the Middle East. I feel helpless and wish I could help in some way.
“I pray for compassion, for all the innocent people affected.”
READ MORE: Scottish Labour official who quit role in Gaza row speaks out
Over a million people have been displaced in Gaza, with many heeding Israel’s orders to evacuate the northern part of the sealed-off coastal enclave. So far, more than 2800 Palestinians are reported to have been killed.
Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals are rationing their dwindling medical supplies and fuel for generators, as authorities worked out logistics for a desperately needed aid delivery from Egypt that has yet to enter.
Doctors in darkened wards across Gaza have performed surgeries by the light of mobile phones and used vinegar to treat infected wounds.
The deal to get aid into Gaza through Rafah, the territory’s only crossing not controlled by Israel, remains fragile.
Israel said the supplies could only go to civilians and that it would “thwart” any diversions by Hamas.
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