As the actors’ strike in Hollywood drags on, SAG-AFTRA canceled the picket lines scheduled for Friday in both New York City and Los Angeles due to potential threats of violence.

The guild released a statement Thursday night which said, “In light of potential safety concerns that are unrelated to our ongoing strike, there will be no SAG-AFTRA pickets in New York City or Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 13. Stay safe and see you on the picket lines next week.”

In light of potential safety concerns that are unrelated to our ongoing strike, there will be no SAG-AFTRA pickets in New York City or Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 13. Stay safe and see you on the picket lines next week. #SagAftraStrong #SagAftraStrike pic.twitter.com/dpCyM0PTvh

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) October 13, 2023

The cancellation comes after former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called for people across the Muslim world to strike out with violence in cities on Friday in what he referred to as a “Day of Jihad,” as The Daily Wire previously reported.

“We declare next Friday, ‘The Friday of the Al-Aqsa Flood,’ as a day of general mobilization in our Arab and Islamic world and among the free people of the world,” Meshaal said in a statement sent to Reuters.

“It is a day to rally support, offer aid, and participate actively. It is a day to expose the crimes of the occupation, isolate it, and foil all its aggressive schemes. It is a day to demonstrate our love for Palestine, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa. It is a day for sacrifice, heroism, and dedication, and to earn the honour of defending the first Qibla of Muslims, the third holiest mosque, and the ascension of the trusted Messenger.”

The New York Police Department said in a statement there were “no credible, specific threats to New York City” but explained they were operating with a heightened awareness.

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“We are aware of the concern that postings circulating online have caused, and we have increased our uniform deployments at large gatherings and cultural gatherings to ensure public safety out of an abundance of caution.”

The Los Angeles Police Department echoed that sentiment. They said in a statement they’re “aware of recent statements made calling for action as it relates to the conflict in the Middle East. We have no information of any specific or credible threats to the City of Los Angeles but we are continuing to assess the situation for any potential impact to our communities.”

“We will be reaching out to our local Jewish and Muslim communities and will be providing extra patrol during this unimaginable time,” the statement added.

Hundreds of celebrities have signed an open letter in support of Israel that condemns the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas. 

Gal Gadot, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, and Michael Douglas were just a few big names in a list of more than 700 celebrities and entertainment professionals who signed the letter, which was created by the nonprofit organization Creative Community For Peace, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Zachery Levi, Sharon Osbourne, George Lopez, Phil Rosenthal, Mekhi Phifer, Mark Hamill, and Howie Mandel also signed it. Besides recounting the horrors of the attack, the letter urges people not to “amplify or fall for” the “propaganda” that’s being circulated online in a “misinformation campaign spearheaded by Iran.”

“The nightmare that Israelis have feared for decades became a reality as Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli cities and towns,” the letter begins. 

“Under the cover of thousands of rockets fired indiscriminately into civilian populations, Hamas murdered and kidnapped innocent men, women, and children. They kidnapped and murdered infants and the elderly. They raped women and mutilated their bodies. They paraded their bodies through the streets and on social media, and cowardly attacked the Supernova Music Festival – bringing death and destruction to an event celebrating friendship and love.”

The letter continues, “This is terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions. These are barbaric acts of terrorism that must be called out by everyone. They are a terrorist organization whose leaders call for the murder of Jews everywhere.”

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“CCFP calls on our friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry to speak out forcefully against Hamas and do whatever is in their power to urge the terrorist organization to return the innocent hostages to their families.”

“As Israel takes the necessary steps to defend its citizens in the coming days and weeks, social media will be overrun by an orchestrated misinformation campaign spearheaded by Iran. We urge everyone to remember the horrific images that came out of Israel and to not amplify or fall for their propaganda.”

The letter concludes, “Our thoughts are with all those experiencing unfathomable levels of fear and violence, and we hope for the day when Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.”