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Hannah Einbinder used the Emmys stage to deliver a powerful message of support for the people of Gaza and those affected by the Trump administration’s attacks on migrants.
While accepting her award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Hacks on Sunday night, Einbinder took a moment at the end of her speech to deliver a political message.
After a comical speech about convincing herself that it was “cool” not to win after so many years, Einbinder — who wore an Artists4Ceasefire pin on her dress — declared: “Finally, I just want to say: Go Birds, fuck ICE, and free Palestine.” (The “Birds” mention was, of course, a nod to the Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs earlier on Sunday.)
On the broadcast, both CBS and Paramount+ cut out the curse word, cutting to a wide shot of the awards show crowd, before zooming back in on the actress for the end of the word “ICE.”
“It’s an issue that’s very close to my heart for many reasons,” she told the press room backstage. “It Is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel, because our religion and our culture is such an important and long-standing institution that is really separate to this sort of ethnonationalist state.”
Einbinder wasn’t the only Hacks actor to address the conflict between Israel and Gaza at the awards show. Earlier in the night, actress Meg Stalter, who is typically known for her over-the-top outfits, instead wore a black leather bag emblazoned with a white tape reading, “CEASE FIRE!”
On her Instagram story, Einbinder’s last few posts were related to Israel’s “relentless bombs” on the Gaza region. She’s one of the main actors to participate with Artists4Ceasefire, even co-posting a call-to-action noting the “two million Palestinians in Gaza face unprecedented levels of starvation” back in July.
“We call on our leaders, all those with power in the U.S. and around the globe, to use their influence and ACT NOW and demand Israel LET AID IN,” read the July statement. “Our call has not changed— we demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, immediate, unrestricted delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza, and the release of all the hostages.”
After Einbinder left the stage, Emmys host Nate Bargatze joked about her usage of a curse word: “She also cursed… I’ll start a swear jar real fast,” he said, referencing his ongoing Boys and Girls Club fund, which he said will increase or decrease depending on the length of Emmys’ acceptance speeches.
In the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, Einbinder beat out last year’s winner Liza Colón-Zayas, The Studio‘s Catherine O’Hara and Kathryn Hahn, Abbott Elementary‘s Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Shrinking‘s Jessica Williams.
