Actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld was in Israel this week to express his support as he visited released hostages and families who still have loved ones under captivity by Hamas.
“Seinfeld told the families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages,” “The Times of Israel” reported. “Seinfeld and his family were deeply affected by the stories of the experiences they heard from the family members and the released hostages. The families thanked the Seinfeld family for their moving visit to the families’ headquarters and their unwavering support for the families of the hostages.”
According to local news outlets, the meeting lasted two hours longer than expected and described Seinfeld, who wore a dog tag with the inscription “bring them home,” as caring and sensitive to the families whose loved ones are held hostage.
READ: Taylor Swift attends event sponsored by antisemitic group
Two days after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Seinfeld shared a post on social media with the words “I Stand With Israel.”
@BringHomeNow/Instagram
“I lived and worked on a kibbutz in Israel when I was 16, and I have loved our Jewish homeland ever since,” he wrote in the caption. “My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds. We believe in justice, freedom, and equality. We survive and flourish no matter what. I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people.”
The comedian also was one of hundreds of celebrities who signed a letter condemning Hamas for its “barbaric acts” against Israel, including the killings of 1,200 Israelis in what is considered to be the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. During Seinfeld’s visit to Israel, about 128 Israeli hostages remained captive by Hamas in Gaza. Last month, about 105 civilians were released as part of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica posted photos on social media.
“We wanted to see for ourselves the impacts of the October 7th attacks,” she wrote. ”We saw homes where families were tortured, shot, bombed and burned alive. We stood in a field where kids at a music festival were murdered and kidnapped by the hundreds as they fled.”
Not all celebrities have denounced Hamas and stood firmly with Israel’s right to defend itself. Megastar Taylor Swift recently attended a fundraiser for Gaze sponsored by a virulently antisemitic organization.
–Dwight Widaman | MV