Hannah Einbinder, star of HBO's "Hacks," sparked a firestorm after using her Emmy acceptance speech to denounce U.S. immigration authorities and voice support for Palestinians, a moment that divided Hollywood and ignited a broader debate over political messaging at awards shows.
Einbinder, 30, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series during Sunday night's Emmy Awards, her first win after four nominations for playing Ava Daniels, a struggling comedy writer, across all four seasons of the hit series. At the end of her speech, she declared: "Go Birds, f-k ICE and free Palestine," a reference to her lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fandom and to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Her remarks drew loud cheers from some in the audience but triggered immediate backlash online. "Any Jewish actress who uses her 15 minutes of fame to show support for the terrorists holding 48 hostages in Gaza has no moral compass," Joel Petlin wrote on X, adding, "And the naive Hollywood audience that applauded her immoral statement is equally reprehensible. Hannah Einbinder was a real loser at the Emmys."
Hannah Einbinder on saying "Free Palestine" in her Emmys acceptance speech.
"It is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel. Our religion and our culture is such an important and long-standing institution that is really separate to this sort… pic.twitter.com/FNVTji7VC3 — Variety (@Variety) September 15, 2025
Other critics accused Einbinder of politicizing what should have been a celebratory moment. "This is why Ricky Gervais had to lecture celebs on how to accept awards," journalist Dahlia Kurtz wrote on X, referencing Gervais' well-known monologue urging stars to avoid political soapboxing.
Einbinder defended her decision in a follow-up interview with The Wrap, saying she felt an obligation to distinguish Judaism from Israeli government policy. "I feel like 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 ethno-nationalist state," she said.
Speaking to Variety, Einbinder added that she has friends in Gaza working as doctors and frontline workers, which made the issue "very dear to my heart." She said she wanted to highlight humanitarian needs in Gaza, including efforts "to provide care for pregnant women and for school children" and to build schools in refugee camps.
Her statement came amid a night of political gestures from attendees. Co-star Meg Stalter appeared on the red carpet holding a black purse that read "CEASE FIRE!" while actor Javier Bardem wore a keffiyeh scarf. "It feels good to bring the attention to where it really needs to be, which is Gaza," Bardem told USA Today.
