Hannah Einbinder, who won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her role on Hacks, drew a mix of condemnation and praise Sunday after she closed her acceptance speech with a political statement that was censored on the live broadcast.
Onstage at the 2025 Emmy Awards, Einbinder, 30, ended her remarks by shouting, "Go Birds, f–k ICE and free Palestine," according to video of the live ceremony that circulated online after the televised feed muted the final words. The line was accompanied by a visible red Artists4Ceasefire pin on her gown, a symbol used by some entertainers calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The uncensored clip spread quickly across social platforms, prompting sharply divided reactions. Some posts criticized Einbinder for referencing the Israel-Hamas war and for the profanity directed at U.S. immigration authorities, while others defended her, describing the comments as a principled use of a public platform.
"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," one user wrote on X. Another account said, "No clue who Hannah is but way to end whatever was left of your career." Supporters countered with messages such as, "Powerful words from Hannah Einbinder honoring truth and justice while standing for Palestine," and hailed her as "brave."
After the show, Einbinder spoke with reporters and described why she felt compelled to raise the issue. She said Palestine "is an issue that's very dear to my heart," and cited personal connections to people she described as frontline workers and doctors in northern Gaza providing medical care, running schools in refugee camps and assisting children and pregnant women.
"For many reasons, I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel," Einbinder said, according to reporters. She also defended targeted protest tactics, saying, "Boycotting is an effective tool to create pressure on the powers that be to meet the moment. So the Film Workers for Palestine boycott does not boycott individuals, it only boycotts institutions that are directly complicit in the genocide."
Einbinder did not elaborate on how she expected the entertainment industry or award ceremonies to respond to calls for boycott or changes in policy. Her comments came amid heightened attention to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, a conflict that has prompted global protests, advocacy campaigns and debate about the role of cultural institutions.
The Emmys broadcast muted the closing words, but awards shows have increasingly become stages for public figures to make political statements, from calls for social justice to expressions of solidarity with international causes. The response to Einbinder’s remarks reflects a broader split among audiences over whether entertainers should use high-profile moments for political advocacy.
Representatives for Einbinder and for the Emmy Awards did not immediately issue further comment. Social media responses continued into Monday, with both criticism and support amplified by reposts of the uncensored footage. The debate follows other recent instances of entertainers drawing attention to international crises during awards-season appearances, and it signals continuing tensions over how cultural platforms intersect with activism and public policy discussion.