Hollywood actress Debra Messing arrived in Tel Aviv to receive an honorary award for her Israel advocacy work, telling Israel Hayom that supporting the Jewish state represents the most important thing she has done in her life.
Sunday night marked the closing ceremony of the International LGBTQ+ Film Festival at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The event's guest of honor was Messing, the Jewish-American actress known for the hit series "Will & Grace," the romantic comedy "The Wedding Date," and other acclaimed projects. Messing has become a prominent pro-Israel voice in Hollywood, especially since October 7.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, Messing shared her deep connection to Israel as a Jewish woman who grew up in New York. "I grew up with parents who were very, very passionate Zionists. And this was in the 80s. And they came here many, many times and were very proud and always taught me that it was our responsibility to protect Israel, our homeland. And obviously seeing the massacre [on Oct. 7] was unimaginable. And I just felt like I had to come here and to bear witness and to let the Israelis know that as an American Jew, I love them, I mourn with them, I support them, and I will fight with them," she said.
Video: Debra Messing speaks with Israel Hayom at the International LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Tel Aviv / Reporter: Adi Nirman; Video: Moshe Ben Simhon
According to the actress, despite the personal cost she might pay for her public support of Israel, the decision was crystal clear. "I grew up with the phrase, 'if not now, when?' And it was so clear to me on October 8th that that moment had come. And I never look back. It is the most important thing that I have done in my life," she explained.
During the award ceremony, she told the audience, "It is a great honor to be with you here this evening. I feel like you are like family to me, you have taught me about humanity." Later in the evening, she emphasized, "We will not be silent. We are not going anywhere. We may be few, but we're huge in 'chutzpah'."
About her connection to the festival, she shared that she lost one of the most significant people in her life to AIDS. "I went to graduate school at New York University, and one of the most beautiful people I have ever met, Paul Walker, who was a games teacher... he was a light. He taught us that we always have to do something, especially the things that scare us. Unfortunately, he passed away at 41 from AIDS," she said.
