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Writer's pictureVibha Maurya

Tom Cruise reverses Hollywood agent's dismissal after expressing support for Palestine.

Updated: Dec 11, 2023

Tom Cruise makes a surprising move by reversing the dismissal of a Hollywood agent who expressed support for Palestine. Delve into the details of this unexpected decision and its impact on the industry.


Actor Tom Cruise in the movie
Actor Tom Cruise in the movie

Actor Tom Cruise intervened to prevent the dismissal of his agent, Maha Dakhil, from the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) after he made pro-Palestinian statements regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This situation not only highlights Hollywood's stance on political positions but also underscores the significant influence of prominent figures in the film industry.


Controversy arose when Dakhil posted comments supporting Palestine on his social media accounts during the Middle East conflicts.


On Instagram, the agent not only expressed solidarity with Palestine but also leveled a serious accusation. According to him, Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip constitute genocide. The immediate fallout at CAA led to Dakhil being removed from his leadership position in the agency's film department.


However, the mission did not materialize thanks to Tom Cruise's intervention. According to information from Variety magazine, the actor conveyed his support for Dakhil to CAA and, last week, personally met with an agent to reinforce his position.


Cruise's stance is not isolated. A group of agency employees threatened to protest the company's decision and raised concerns about Dakhil's treatment. While some team members advocate for the agent's dismissal due to his social media statements, others align with Cruise, highlighting internal divisions on the issue.


Positions


The episode occurs in a context where pro-Palestinian stances have been poorly received in Hollywood. Recently, actress Melissa Barreira was fired from the production of Scream 7 for critical comments about Israel. Another actress, Susan Sarandon, had her contract terminated by an agency for the same reason.


The situation illustrates that sensitive political issues in the world's leading film conglomerate are not tolerated and can result in serious professional repercussions. Cruise's decision to intervene underscores not only the weight of individual opinions but also how prominent figures in Hollywood can shape the political landscape within the entertainment industry.

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