Hollywood got off to a slow start, found its voice in vaguely condemning Hamas' murder as "evil"

Celebrities often rush to social media to weigh in on the latest headlines: Immigration. Gun control. So-called “book banning.”

However, Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel didn’t immediately spark an A-list social media wave.

Most stars held their digital fire, either unsure of what to say or worried they might say the “wrong” thing in the process.

Comedian Ryan Long released a satirical video mocking stars for dragging their feet on whether terrorism was worth denouncing on Instagram or X, formerly Twitter.

The stars finally found their voice, partially, via an open letter signed by 700-plus members of the creative community.

Jerry Seinfeld, Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hamill and more finally signed the Creative Community for Peace missive condemning the terrorism in no uncertain terms.

"This is terrorism," they wrote. "This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions. These are barbaric acts of terrorism that must be called out by everyone."

Other Hollywood-based groups that typically weigh in on current events, like the Writers Guild of America, went silent.

That drew a withering response from Seinfeld, again, plus Sacha Baron Cohen of “Borat” fame, “Frozen” star Josh Gad and others who slammed the guild for not sparing a syllable about the terrorist attacks that killed roughly 1,200 people, including children.

The Guild routinely reacts to current events, as it did three years ago following the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd following a confrontation with local police officers. Not this time, though, which resulted in senior show-runners expressing their disappointment.

“When it comes to taking a stand, the Writers Guild of America has always led by example," they wrote in an open letter posted earlier this week on Medium about the Guild having yet to speak up. "When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo reckoning came and Hollywood needed to change, again the Guild spoke up."

Politically active actor Mark Ruffalo of “The Avengers” fame shared an equivocating neutral message following the terrorist attacks.

“Concerning the tragic events unfolding in Israel and Gaza, I am grief-stricken for the unspeakable suffering and loss of life and loved ones. This horrific violence must end," he said. "I have no answers obviously, but I feel it is absolutely necessary to focus on our shared human existence and reality. The sanctity of our common humanity will hopefully serve to heal the unimaginable wounds of division."

Others took a different path regarding the latest Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Influencer and reality star Kylie Jenner shared posts on Twitter and Instagram denouncing Hamas' terrorism but concerned more about her "brand" than her "stand", quickly deleted the messages when a percentage of her followers clapped back at her position.

Pop star Justin Bieber did the same after he, too, shared a pro-Israel message via social media. He later reposted the text message accompanying the post but removed an image of burning buildings.

Outspoken singer Pink tried, and failed, to avoid the topic completely.

The singer’s use of the Poi flag, a constant presence on her current concert tour, made some think she chose to embrace the Israeli flag in her live events.

She denied the accusation, making it clear she wouldn’t say anything about the current Israeli-Hamas clash.

“I do not fly flags in my show in support of anything or anyone except the rainbow flag," she said. "That will remain my position.”

Yet Pink speaks out often without reservation on hot-button issues like the COVID-19 vaccine (she supported mandatory vaccinations) and Black Lives Matter, a group she endorsed following Floyd’s May 2020 death.

Actor Wallace Shawn, best known for his villainous turn in “The Princess Bride,” took the most unusual approach of any celebrity. The 79-year-old actor joined a pro-Palestine march this week and excoriated Israel for responding to the Hamas terrorist attacks.

Shawn, who is Jewish, joined Monday’s Washington, D.C., protest demanding a ceasefire and attacked the U.S. and Israel for their responses to the terror. He has long voiced his pro-Palestinian views.

“What’s happening right now is certainly one of the most deliberate cruelties inflicted on a group of people that I can remember and that my own government has supported," he reportedly told the crowd near the White House. "Even in Vietnam, there was a whole elaborate explanation that people gave, and they didn’t quite admit that they just were slaughtering the innocent.”