Dana Walden sent a staff-wide memo to all of Disney Entertainment on Friday, reflecting on the past week since Hamas struck Israel in a deadly and devastating war.
“Tomorrow marks one week since the world changed forever with the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Walden wrote in a memo, exclusively obtained by Variety.
“There are moments in history where the horror and heartbreak are so overwhelming, no words feel sufficient,” Walden said. “This is one of those moments.”
The letter continues, “Like all of you, I am devastated for the innocent lives lost in the region. I am also angry — that this act of evil and cowardice by Hamas has torn apart families and stolen loved ones long before their time.”
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Walden, who is Jewish, is co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. Her letter to the staff follows The Walt Disney Company’s announcement that the company would be making a $2 million donation to humanitarian relief in Israel. Disney CEO Bob Iger released an official company statement on Thursday evening condemning Hamas’ attacks, stating, “In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks targeting Jews in Israel this past weekend, we must all do what we can to support the innocent people experiencing so much pain, violence, and uncertainty — particularly children.”
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Over 1,000 civilians have died in both Israel and Gaza, since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which is the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas fired thousands of rockets from Gaza, brutally killing innocent civilians in their homes and committing a massacre at a music festival for peace where 260 bodies were found. More than 100 civilians have been kidnapped from Israel and are being held hostage in Gaza. Over 20 American citizens have been killed, and more are missing or believe to be hostages.
In Walden’s letter, the executive says that she has connected with staff members to discuss “shared fears and sadness.” She addresses employees who have lost friends or family in the war.
“This is a moment for us all to stand together as one community — to comfort and lean on one another,” Walden writes.
Walden gives gratitude to the journalists at Disney at the local station level and at ABC News, thanking those teams for “working tirelessly around the clock, noting that they “risk their lives on the ground.”
See Walden’s full memo here:
Team,
Tomorrow marks one week since the world changed forever with the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
There are moments in history where the horror and heartbreak are so overwhelming, no words feel sufficient. This is one of those moments. Like all of you, I am devastated for the innocent lives lost in the region. I am also angry — that this act of evil and cowardice by Hamas has torn apart families and stolen loved ones long before their time.
In the wake of this terrorist attack, I have had the opportunity to connect with some of you about our shared fears and sadness. Some of you have lost close friends or family — and I can’t even begin to imagine the depths of your pain. Others have reached out wanting to know how they can help and how they can support their colleagues who are hurting right now. This is a moment for us all to stand together as one community — to comfort and lean on one another. I am constantly awed by this team’s compassion and resilience, and both are needed right now.
I also want to acknowledge our incredible Owned Television Stations and ABC News organization who are working tirelessly around the clock, and our team who continues to risk their lives on the ground. The stories they are sharing are the ones no one ever wants to have to cover but are so important for the world to see. The 20/20 special earlier this week was raw, powerful and gut-wrenching — and it shined a light on the human cost of this horrific violence.
Thank you all for continuing to support one another. Please be kind to yourselves and each other during this particularly dark time. If you’re struggling or just need someone to listen, please reach out to a colleague or your leader. We’re all here for you, and we will get through this together.
All my best,
Dana
