Amidst the grand achievements and glitz of the 77th Emmy Awards, numerous celebrities seized the opportunity to express political views.
Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder delivered a bold political statement during her acceptance speech for winning the best supporting actress in a comedy category. She mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, criticized U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), and addressed the ongoing situation in Gaza, all in a single concise sentence.
Ending her speech, she exclaimed, “Go Birds, f—k ICE, and free Palestine.”
Einbinder was part of a group of around 4,000 actors and professionals in the film industry who recently signed a pledge to refrain from collaborating with film institutions or governments involved in “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
In a press conference following the award ceremony, Einbinder elaborated on her passionate support for the cause, emphasizing why she endorsed the petition.
She stated, “Boycotting serves as an effective mechanism to exert pressure on authorities to address the current situation,” clarifying that the boycott targets institutions directly involved, not individuals.
To date, the death toll in Gaza has reached at least 64,000, with limited civilian aid and widespread hunger.
As a Jewish individual, Einbinder believes it is crucial to address the conflict, seeing the state of Israel and Jewish identity as distinct entities.
Israeli author and activist Hen Mazzig penned a response article in U.S. media titled “No, Hannah, That Wasn’t Brave.” In an interview with CBC News, he argued that Jewish identity and the state are intricately linked, partly due to the ties between religion and land.
According to Pew research data from 2020, about eight in 10 Jewish Americans consider caring about Israel an integral aspect of their Jewish identity. In 2024, approximately nine in 10 Jewish respondents held a positive view of Israeli citizens, contrasting with a 54% favorability rating for the government.
Mazzig contended that Einbinder’s remarks were anti-Israel and lacked genuine support for peace.
He questioned, “If one truly advocates for peace, coexistence, and humanity, why overlook violence against Israelis? Why neglect mentioning the hostages since October 7, 2023?”
Einbinder and her Hacks co-star Megan Stalter wore red Artists4Ceasefire pins, with Stalter also displaying “ceasefire!” on her purse. In a subsequent Instagram post, Stalter urged for a permanent ceasefire and an end to occupation.
Artists4Ceasefire advocates for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the release of hostages from Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, and the provision of aid to Gaza.