This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Actors often play important figures, governmental leaders, corporate giants, and even superheroes.

But in those roles, they are walking and standing where a director tells them to. They are reciting lines someone else has written. They are dressed in costumes someone else chooses.

In other words, they're not really the brilliant world voices they purport to be on video.

Nonetheless, a coalition of 2,000 has signed onto a letter that condemns Israel for its defense of its citizens in light of a slaughter of some 1,200 or 1,300 in a recent attack by Hamas terrorists.

Hamas members, in fact, burned whole families alive, beheaded babies, and other atrocities.

Those actions were not cited by the "open letter from Artists for Palestine UK," according to a report in the New York Post, prompting David Mencer, former director of Labour Friends of Israel, to dismiss the comments as "drivel."

Signers of the letter included Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan, and "Outlander" star Sam Heughan, the report said.

The letter claimed, "Our governments are not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them. There will come a time when they are held to account for their complicity.

"But for now, while condemning every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them, our obligation is to do all we can to bring an end to the unprecedented cruelty being inflicted on Gaza."

The letter states, "We support the global movement against the destruction of Gaza and the mass displacement of the Palestinian people," while demanding "ceasefire" and "humanitarian aid" for Hamas.

The Post report said, "The letter makes no mention of how Hamas terrorists murdered at least 1,400 people and took some 200 others hostage — nor Israel’s claims that children were burned and beheaded."

Critics of the letter noted it gave only "one side and not the other" on the dispute between Hamas, which has stated that its goal is to eliminate Israel, and Israeli officials, who are working to protect their citizens.