Barbra Streisand Under Fire Over Israel-Gaza Statement

Barba Streisand is facing criticism after sharing a statement surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza.

On October 7, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, which it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Israel declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground invasion. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, The Associated Press has reported, and more than 17,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, the AP says.

Streisand comes from a Jewish family and described herself as "a Jewess through and through, although I'm not religious," in a 1987 interview with Esquire magazine. Now taking to her Instagram account, Streisand has shared her support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This envisions an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, west of the Jordan River.

She wrote: "When I first met Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres years ago, I asked him 'How can you help the Palestinians?' He replied 'By making their lives better!' We needed his advice then, and should urgently heed it now. In my humble opinion, we need a two-state solution that will hopefully bring peace and prosperity to the region."

Newsweek reached out to Streisand's publicist for comment via email on Tuesday.

Her post has proven to be divisive, with people taking to the comment section to share their disappointment in the star.

"They've tried for two states numerous times. Have you read any politically [sic] negotiations in the last 30 years? Where have you been for the last 50 days? Have you condemned the mass murder and rape of women in Israel? What kind of statement is this anyway when it's obvious that is what will bring peace but Hamas has repeated they don't want two states?" one person wrote.

"I have to say I'm surprised at you, Barbra Streisand. You know as well as I that a two-state solution has been offered many times, but Hamas and their leaders have never and will never accept this," said another.

A third added: "Barbra. This nightmare that we are living know [sic] is not a political problem. Is a war against evil. Hamas committed an unprecedented massacre inside Israeli territory and Israel is mourning the results of this situation. Please let's understand it. Raise your voice."

However, others have spoken out in support of Streisand, thanking her for her statement.

"Thank you for your bravery Barbra! We love you!" one person wrote.

"These comments are absolutely wild, check in with your souls before you lose them entirely. Israel are an apartheid state, free Palestine," commented another Instagram user.

Someone else added: "Thank You Barbra. We need everyone to speak and especially those whose voices are heard more loudly than others. It is going to take all of us to find the path forward. The path we are on today, is not it. #ceasefirenow."

This isn't the first time that the actor and singer has shared her thoughts on the conflict. She posted a statement to X, formerly Twitter, on October 20, which read: "My heart is broken for all the suffering of innocent civilians in Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine. Terrorism must not triumph."

Streisand also denounced the rise of antisemitism and fascism in the United States during an interview with Stephen Colbert from her Malibu home. While she was promoting her book, My Name Is Barbra, he asked for her thoughts about hostilities against Jewish people being on the rise.

"It's so sad. It's sad about what's going on today. Meaning, people have to live together even though they are different religions or whatever. People are people. It's true. You know, we all want the same thing. We all want love in our hearts. We all want family. We all want to feel secure," she said.

"I hope for the best because this is heartbreaking, what's happening now with these people. The children, the mothers, doesn't matter what religion they are. You know what I mean? This is beyond religion. This is insanity for us not to learn how to live together in peace.

"See, this is what's hard to talk about my career or even my book when this deadly combustible thing is happening in the world."

Streisand, who rarely gives interviews, told Colbert that she could easily cry about the topic.

She added: "You know, where is God in this time? Where is he or she? Why can't that energy stop this madness?"