Veteran screenwriter Dan Gordon, known for his work on films like "The Hurricane" and "Wyatt Earp," has resigned from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in protest against the guild's silence on the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Gordon, who has been a member of the union for 56 years, made the announcement on Tuesday and expressed his disappointment in the guild's failure to condemn the brutal attacks.

Gordon, who also served in the Israel Defense Forces, holds dual citizenship in the United States and Israel, as well as in Canada. In his letter to the WGA West leadership, he stated that he will elect "financial core" status, a move that limits his participation in guild activities while still paying reduced dues.

In an interview, Gordon highlighted the guild's history of taking stands on social justice issues such as supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and advocating for the #MeToo movement. He criticized the guild for remaining silent on the Hamas attacks, referring to the tragedy as the "worst slaughter of Jews since Nazi Germany." Gordon stated, "It's part of our job to bear witness," and emphasized the moral duty of the WGA to speak out against such atrocities.

Following the October 7th attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,400 individuals, numerous celebrities and industry institutions, including the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, issued statements denouncing the violence. However, the WGA chose to remain silent. On Tuesday, the WGA West leadership issued an apology, explaining that they view international tragedies differently from domestic social justice issues, but expressed remorse for the pain caused.

Gordon's resignation comes amid mounting pressure from both sides within the entertainment industry. A total of 383 writers signed an open letter condemning the attacks and criticizing the WGA for failing to issue a statement. However, over 300 members of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, and DGA have urged the guilds to resist giving in to pressure, as they believe it could be seen as endorsing Israel's response to the attacks.

The WGA's silence on the Hamas attacks has ignited a debate within the industry about the role of unions in addressing international conflicts. While some argue that unions should take a stand against human rights violations, others maintain that it is not the guild's place to endorse any particular political stance.

As the controversy unfolds, Gordon's resignation serves as a reminder of the complex challenge faced by organizations like the WGA when addressing international conflicts. The fallout highlights the tensions between supporting social justice causes and navigating the complexities of geopolitical crises.

The WGA West has not made any further public statements regarding Gordon's resignation or the issue at hand.