Actress Hannah Einbinder urges Jews to reject Zionism
Her post featured a disturbing graphic image alongside sharp criticism of US support for Israel’s ongoing military campaign, urging followers to question American policies and reconsider their stance on the conflict.
Jewish American actress and comedian Hannah Einbinder has gone viral after sharing a powerful and deeply emotional Instagram story, calling on what she described as “Jews of conscience” to reject Zionism and raise their voices against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Her post struck a nerve not only because of her celebrity platform, but also because of the raw urgency in her message. The post included a graphic image that underscored the devastating realities of the conflict, paired with sharp criticism of continued US support for Israel’s military campaign.
What especially captured attention was Einbinder’s direct reference to a Haaretz report aired on CNN, which alleged that Israeli soldiers were given orders to fire into crowds of civilians. Sharing that report, Einbinder wrote passionately:
“Jews of conscience, wake up! They are doing this in our name! This is Zionism. Denounce it.”
For many, this was a striking moment of honesty from a public figure who is both deeply rooted in her Jewish identity and unafraid to confront painful truths.
Einbinder, best known for her Emmy-nominated role in the hit HBO series Hacks, has never shied away from using her platform to speak out. What makes her criticism particularly resonant is that she frames it not in spite of being Jewish, but because she is Jewish. She has often explained that her values — questioning authority, protecting life, and pursuing justice — are not in conflict with her faith, but instead flow directly from it.
She emphasizes that Judaism, at its heart, is about compassion, human dignity, and standing with the oppressed. “This is what I was taught to believe,” she has said in past interviews, “and I refuse to abandon it now.”
Strong reactions onlineThe response to Einbinder’s Instagram story was immediate and overwhelming. Across social media, Jewish users and pro-Palestinian advocates praised her courage. Many highlighted how rare and important it is for Jewish public figures to speak so boldly in the current climate.
“She’s a real one,” one commenter wrote, applauding her bravery.
Messages of gratitude poured in, with users saying her voice gave them hope and strength to speak out themselves. One supporter noted: “So much respect to her and legions of brave Jewish voices for humanity.”
Of course, her comments also sparked backlash from Zionist supporters who accused her of spreading dangerous rhetoric. Yet, Einbinder has remained steady in her stance, emphasizing repeatedly that her voice comes from love for her community and a desire to prevent further harm done in its name.
A devastating backdropThe urgency behind Einbinder’s words cannot be separated from the staggering human cost of the conflict. Since October 7, 2023, more than 63,500 people have been killed, with over 160,000 injured. Hundreds of thousands remain displaced, forced to flee their homes amid relentless airstrikes and shortages of food, water, and medicine.
At least 9,000 people are still missing, their families left in anguish, searching for answers. And famine has claimed at least 348 lives, including 127 children — numbers that speak to the immense suffering endured by civilians, especially the most vulnerable.
A call that resonatesHannah Einbinder’s message resonates because it breaks through silence and fear. At a time when speaking critically about Israel can risk careers, reputations, and personal safety, she has chosen to put her values before everything else.
Her call to “Jews of conscience” is not only a critique of Zionism, but also an invitation — a plea for others in the Jewish community to look inward, to question, and to act. It is a reminder that one’s identity can be a source of strength in the fight for justice, and that silence, too, has consequences.
By grounding her activism in faith and humanity, Einbinder shows that courage does not mean the absence of fear — it means speaking anyway. And in doing so, she has sparked a conversation that refuses to be ignored.