Jewish-American Actor Michael Rapaport was in Israel this last week to increase pressure on international organizations to forces Hamas to release the more than a hundred Israelis that they are still holding hostage.
Rapaport highlighted the wide range of people that he has met while visiting the country, saying that the nation’s “spirit” was special.
“Your reputation really precedes you,” he said. “The kindness, the warmth, the generosity that I’ve experienced in my time here, has been unparalleled in my travels. And unfortunately, amidst this spirit, there’s also a deep sadness and heartbreak that is apparent. Right over there by a tree I met a 69 year old Brazilian born Jewish woman named Pearl, whose family moved here when she was just nine years old. I said to Pearl, how you doing? And she started crying. And she said not good. She said what have they done to our country? I’ll never forget that. I know that everyone here has been affected and everyone is hurting in Israel. I also know that despite what we see on the news, despite what you see on social media, everybody in my city of New York is hurting also.”
“The families that I’ve spoken to, who have sons that are still held captive inside Gaza after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in broad daylight are devastated,” he continued. “The heartbreak and despair that they are enduring is unimaginable and cannot be portrayed by any actor, Jewish or not. Currently, there are 129 men, women, and babies who have been in captivity for 71 days. 71 days. They need to come home now. There are two children — a 10 month old baby who still relies on formula and his four year old toddler brother — they need to come home now. There are 19 women, most of whom are in their 20s and 30s, 19 young women need to be freed akshav [immediately].”
He also called on the male hostages, both young and old, to be released so they can go back to their families.
“This is not just an Israel or Jewish crisis. This is not just an Israel or Jewish crisis,” he continued. “This is a world wide global humanitarian crisis. The Red Cross, you need to get involved, you’re an embarrassment.”
“From the bottom of my heart to the family members and friends that I’ve met since I’ve been here, the family members that I’m looking out, the family members behind me and around me,” he said. “I know that so many people have suffered. I know that people are scared. I know that people are heartbroken and I am so sorry for the loss of so many lives. I want you guys to know this because I know it and I’ve only been here five days, Israel will rise. Israel is not going anywhere. The Jewish people are not going anywhere. I also want to encourage all Jewish people all around the world, whether you’re secular, Sephardic, Hasidic, and everything in between to stick together. Be nice to each other smile at each other and stick together stand tall, stand proud, stand stronger than ever, and bring the hostages home thank you guys and I love you.”
WATCH:
Actor and comedian @MichaelRapaport rallied at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv Saturday, continuing calls for Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza. @livenowfox pic.twitter.com/q6lC8naVlo
— Giacomo Luca (@GiacomoLucaTV) December 16, 2023