Aventura, Florida – Following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, many celebrities and politicians have criticized the Jewish state's response rather than condemning the terrorists. But one notable person is trying to counter this by standing up for what he believes in.
Patricia Heaton, the Emmy Award-winning star of shows such as “Everybody Loves Raymond'' and “The Middle,'' has been an outspoken defender of Israel and Jews. She called for action in a conversation with Fox News Digital shortly before receiving an award for her efforts from the American Friends of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's version of the Red Cross. He talked about what triggered it.
“I thought it was common knowledge that we all knew Jewish history, especially the history of the Holocaust, but it always never happened again, and then it happened again, and what I expected “I didn't see any anger,” Heaton said. “I don't know why, but I felt like I had to say something because what happened was outrageous.”
Heaton, who is Catholic, has many Jewish friends because he works in the entertainment industry, and he called them after Oct. 7 to contact them.
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Actress Patricia Heaton receives an award from Friends of America Magen David Adom for her work supporting Israel and the Jewish community at an event in Aventura, Florida, on December 11, 2024. (Carlos Chatta)
“They said, 'You're the only one who's reached out, we're really upset and scared,'” she recalled. “So I thought I needed to do more.”
Heaton went on to found the October 7th Coalition (O7C), a nonprofit organization that encourages Christians to support the Jewish community and stand up against anti-Semitism.
The actress recently visited Israel for the first time, a short trip that included visits to Jerusalem, Kafarnaum, and Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was the main target of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. She told what it was like to be there during the war.
“The people there live their lives to the fullest. I could hear the sound of Iron Dome firing missiles from the sky, and I could see missiles firing from the sky. The guide said, “If you hear a bang, it's us, so don't worry.'' And we did,” Heaton recalled. Still, everyone has their own day. ”
Heaton spoke of a powerful moment at the Western Wall, where Jews from all walks of life came together in prayer.
“I think there was such intensity at the Western Wall, because there is no six degrees of separation on October 7th. I know. So there was an intensity there,” she said.
“But I felt hope for peace and hope for continuity. And they're still living life to the fullest.”
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In May, Heaton will travel to Israel and participate in Deborah Rising, a conference organized by O7C for Christian and Jewish women (named after the Biblical Jewish leader mentioned in the Book of Judges). I plan to return to The trip, which is currently accepting participants, will feature Christian and Jewish speakers.
Within the entertainment industry, Heaton said that while the reaction to her work has included a small amount of support, there has been a “more vocal anti-Israel reaction.”
“Those guys seem to be coming from a very emotional place with no facts involved,” Heaton said. “An example of this is the fact that Hamas attacked civilians unprovoked and massacred them in the most horrific ways they could think of. So they started a war they could not handle, using their own people as shields. That's why there are civilian casualties. ”
“Israel is doing everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties…Israel goes to the enemy, this is where we come, this is what's happening, this is where you can go. We are the only combat unit in the world that tells them, 'For safety,''' Heaton said. “And yet people in the entertainment industry conveniently ignore all these facts. I don't know why. Maybe it feels good to be emotional.”
Other notable figures who appeared on stage at the MDA event included award-winning actor Liev Schreiber and Israeli actress and model Moran Attias.
Actor Liev Schreiber speaks at an event hosted by Israel's Magen David Adom on December 11, 2024 in Aventura, Florida. (Carlos Chatta)
Shriver spoke about his Jewish background and read testimonies from MDA personnel who lost loved ones and served on the front lines after attacks by Hamas in the south of Israel and Hezbollah in the north. He spoke of being in a “dark place” since October 7 and the rise in anti-Semitism that Jews have had to face since then.
“When the room gets dark, all you have to do is turn on the light,” Schreiber says.
The event honored men and women of all faiths who are dedicated to MDA while risking their lives to help others.
MDA Chairman and former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan spoke to FOX News Digital during the event. Erdan told how on October 7, Hamas shot at an Israeli ambulance that was trying to rescue victims.
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Erdan claimed that Hamas knows it cannot win a war with Israeli forces and therefore wants to harm as many civilians as possible to instill fear and drive them away.
“By reinforcing Magen David Adom and ensuring its deployment everywhere, we can save lives within minutes. That is the best way to thwart enemy strategies,” he said. .
