“No Israelis, Please”: Actor Rejected by Hollywood Agent Over Gaza War

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, Israeli actors have faced increasing difficulty navigating the international film industry. One such example is Dan Shaked, an Israeli-American actor who recently contacted a talent agency in search of work, only to receive a response laced with hostility and politically charged rhetoric.

Shaked, who was born in the United States to Israeli parents who immigrated to Boston in the 1970s, is fluent in both Hebrew and English and visits Israel three times a year. He recently starred in the Israeli series Germani, broadcast by Yes.

In an interview with Israel Hayom, Shaked described the shock and pain he felt upon receiving a rejection email from Gabe Gabriel, a queer filmmaker from South Africa who splits his time between Cape Town and Los Angeles. Gabriel replied to Shaked’s inquiry by stating that he strongly supports a cultural boycott of Israeli art and avoids working with agents from what he called the “apartheid state.”

"I was in shock, very emotional, hurt, angry, and upset," Shaked said. "I was trembling and immediately called my friends and family for support after reading the response."

The actor added that the experience left a deep emotional impact. "I couldn’t sleep or focus for two days after that email. It really shook me. I remember checking my email three times to make sure I had sent exactly what I intended: my showreel and my acting résumé. It made me realize that ignorance knows no borders. Every community in Israel faces hatred and prejudice, and it can come even from someone who has experienced discrimination themselves."

This incident underscores a broader trend affecting Jewish and Israeli artists in the global creative landscape, as the industry grapples with the intersection of political stances and cultural expression.