Paramount Donates $1M to Humanitarian Relief, Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel

“We stand united against all acts of terror and hate,” Shari Redstone and Bob Bakish told employees amid the Hamas-Israel war via an internal memo.

Paramount Global has condemned the Hamas terrorist organization in the wake of its deadly attack in Israel and a retaliatory conflict now underway in Gaza.

“Let us be clear that Paramount condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas. We stand in support of the global Jewish community, and the innocent people in Israel and the region whose lives are lost, unaccounted for, or unimaginably interrupted. We stand with the children who deserve to be children, and with all people who deserve to live without fear for their safety. And, we stand united against all acts of terror and hate,” Shari Redstone, non-executive chairman of the studio and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Bakish said in an internal memo to employees viewed by The Hollywood Reporter.

The top studio execs added Paramount has donated $1 million to humanitarian relief efforts by Magen David Adom, NATAL, UJA-Federation of New York and Save the Children. Paramount will also match employee donations to efforts to alleviate suffering in the region.

“Since the massacre in Israel began, we have seen unthinkable violence and atrocities.  We have seen death and destruction impact innocent people, families, and entire communities. And, we watch in horror as these events continue to unfold,” Redstone and Bakish wrote.

The internal memo runs in full below:

"Team,

Since the massacre in Israel began, we have seen unthinkable violence and atrocities.  We have seen death and destruction impact innocent people, families, and entire communities. And, we watch in horror as these events continue to unfold.

Let us be clear that Paramount condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas. We stand in support of the global Jewish community, and the innocent people in Israel and the region whose lives are lost, unaccounted for, or unimaginably interrupted. We stand with the children who deserve to be children, and with all people who deserve to live without fear for their safety. And, we stand united against all acts of terror and hate.

Towards that end, we want you to know what we are doing to support Israel during this incredibly challenging time. We are donating $1M to organizations who are supporting humanitarian relief efforts.

Paramount will also match donations for all full-time, benefit eligible employees at the VP-level and below.  Employees in the US & UK can take advantage of this through the Paramount Matching Program. International employees can have their contributions matched through the Paramount Internationmal Matching Program through December 31st. 

The following organizations have been vetted to ensure they are providing much-needed, meaningful support for those in need: 

• Magen David Adom
• NATAL
• UJA-Federation of New York
• Save the Children

In addition to supporting Israel and our team in the country, we also need to support those with friends and family living in Israel and the region. As you also know, mental health resources are available to all employees globally. 

The Nickelodeon team also prepared a guide to help parents and caregivers prepare for conversations with children about the world’s current events. And, in partnership with the Office of Global Inclusion and HR, we will begin offering guided listening sessions for employees who need additional support.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. This is a time to come together to support one another.

Best, 

Shari and Bob"

Nickelodeon’s Guide to Talking to Kids About Difficult Current Events is available to download through the NickelodeonParents.com website. More resources are available at NickHelps.com.

For support in talking with your kids about difficult current events, please see resources at https://t.co/NPhpYmdgUQ pic.twitter.com/DZzPBoOH6I

— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) October 12, 2023