Julianna Margulies Says She’s “Disheartened” By Hollywood’s “Shocking” Silence Amid Israel-Hamas War: “I Don’t Know What They’re Afraid Of”

Julianna Margulies has had enough of what she says is Hollywood’s resounding silence amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. While attending Variety’s Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit today, the Morning Show star called out her peers for refusing to stand up to antisemitism.

The Emmy Award-winning actor said she’s “disheartened” by the “shocking” lack of support her industry has shown for Israel after last week’s Hamas attack. More than 1,000 people were killed in the attacks, while nearly 200 were taken hostage by the militant group.

As for why she thinks Hollywood hasn’t spoken out, Margulies speculated that people might be “afraid.”

“I don’t know what they are afraid of. Losing, I don’t know, followers? It’s just insane to me,” she said. “That’s not how I roll. Listen, the last thing I thought in my life was that I’d be the one actress speaking up for Jews. But I’m proud to be here and I hope I inspire other people to come out and talk and use their voice and use their platform to draw attention to this.”

While speaking on ways writers can help “eradicate” Jewish tropes and stereotypes in film and television, Margulies — who stars as news anchor Laura Peterson on The Morning Show —recalled a time her costume designer put a cross on her during a fitting.

“I did not think twice,” Margulies said. “I put the cross on. And then the character became popular. I went in the next season and there in my dressing room was the cross.”

She continued, “Because I have started this Holocaust education program for public schools since that happened, I have thought, ‘What if Laura Peterson was wearing a Star of David?’ We don’t have to talk about [her religion]. But what if that character was just wearing a Star of David? Why did I not say, ‘Hold on a minute, why am I wearing a cross?'”

According to the star, she regretted wearing the cross — especially since “characters are never wearing the Star of David” on television.

“I regret that. I am sorry for that. I am going to be a lot more careful in the future,” she said. “I don’t believe at all that any religious aspect of the character I play needs to be a part of the character’s backstory. But because it’s so easy to put on a cross, why isn’t it just as easy to put on a Star of David?”

The Morning Show is currently streaming on AppleTV+.