American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld on Tuesday toured Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the Gaza border communities whose residents were murdered during Hamas’s Oct. 7 onslaught on the northwestern Negev.
The entertainer, who is of Ashkenazi and Syrian Jewish descent, arrived on Monday for a solidarity visit to Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza.
On Monday night, Seinfeld and his family met with families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and with hostages released from captivity.
“Seinfeld told the families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages, whose lives are in immediate danger,” according to a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.
Last night, acclaimed comedian Jerry Seinfeld landed in Israel.
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) December 19, 2023
Upon his arrival, Seinfeld and his family came to the families' headquarters for an emotional meeting with representatives of the families of the hostages as well as hostages who returned from Hamas captivity.… pic.twitter.com/7wyrM9baV4
“Hearing the stories, Seinfeld and his family were very moved, and it was evident that they were deeply affected by the experiences they heard from the family members and the released hostages.”
Seinfeld expressed support for Israel a few days after the Oct. 7 massacre, writing on his Instagram account that he has “loved the Jewish homeland” since working at Kibbutz Sa’ar, in the Western Galilee, at the age of 16.
“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,” he said.
