Jerry Seinfeld took some time to visit Israel and show his support for the country and its people as war rages on in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. Seinfeld met with suffering families who are seeing the war take a toll on their way of life and their sense of safety, in a move that has him being lauded as one of the good ones in Hollywood.
Seinfeld arrived in the country on Monday to make a public show of support for the conflict clearer to make his sta than ever. He touched down with his wife and children, bringing the whole Seinfeld family along to spread news of his support to the people of Israel.
Seinfeld, a Jewish comedian, is known for being the star of his hit sitcom of the same name and is one of the most popular TV show stars of all time. At the same time, his role is not one of making policy in the United States; a person of his stature can make a lot of noise and sway public opinion in a special way.
Seinfeld’s opinion on the matter has not been unclear at any point, as he posted about the issue early on October 10th to share his stance on the now two-month-long conflict with the world. According to the Jerusalem Post, he said, “I lived and worked on a kibbutz in Israel when I was 16, and I have loved our Jewish homeland ever since. My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also 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.”
He is not the only incredibly popular American star to head over to the Middle East in a show of support. Evangelist Franklin Graham also made a trip recently in partnership with The Samaritan’s Purse, in which he offered aid to the people of Israel.
According to The American Tribune, Graham brought with him massive amounts of aide for Israel. The Samaritan’s Purse wrote, “Samaritan’s Purse has provided hygiene kits, 5,900 food vouchers, 300 food boxes, and 3,800 hot meals for internally displaced families in Israel. In addition to these supplies, the organization has provided medical equipment, including defibrillators to search and rescue teams.”
Graham, for his part, did not shy away from talking about Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. He said, “He is facing the most trying time since the birth of their nation with [1,400] people killed, more than 240 men, women, and children taken as hostages, and many injured in the Hamas attack. As I spoke with a woman whose husband was taken hostage, the fear and heartache were overwhelming. Pray for these hostages and their families, pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Jerry Seinfeld showed clearly that it is possible to remain in the good graces of Hollywood while not tiptoeing the center line on major issues like this. By throwing his support behind Israel, he is using his massive platform to draw attention to an issue that he cares deeply about.
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