ADVENTURE, Fla. – In the aftermath of Hamas on October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, many celebrities and politicians have criticized the Jewish state for its response, rather than condemning the terrorists; However, one notable figure has attempted to counter this by standing up for what she believes in.
Patricia Heaton, the Emmy-winning star of shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle” is an outspoken advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. She discussed what inspired her to take action during a conversation with Fox News Digital that took place just before she received an award for her efforts from the American Friends of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s version of the Red Cross.
“I thought it was common knowledge that we all know the history of the Jewish people, especially the Holocaust, and that never happened again; and it happened again, and I didn’t see the kind of outrage I expected. Heton said. “And I don’t know why, but I felt like I had to say something because what happened is outrageous.”
Heaton, who is Catholic, noted that she has many Jewish friends in the entertainment industry, and she called after Oct. 7 to check in with them.
Actress Patricia Heaton accepts an award from American Friends of Magen David Adom for her work in support of Israel and the Jewish community during an event in Aventura, Florida, on December 11, 2024. (Carlos Chattah)
“They said, ‘You’re the only person who’s reached out, and we’re very upset and scared,’” she recalls. “So then I thought, I think I need to do something more.”
Heaton has since founded the October 7 Coalition (O7C), a nonprofit organization that encourages Christians to support the Jewish community and stand up against anti-Semitism.
The actress recently made her first trip to Israel, a short trip that included visits to Jerusalem, Capernaum and Kibbutz Nir Oz, a key target of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks. She described what it was like to be there during wartime.
‘The people there live their lives to the fullest. We could hear the Iron Dome firing and see it collecting missiles from the sky. Our guide said, “If you hear the big bang, that’s us, so don’t worry about that.” And we did that,” Heaton recalled. ‘I heard big bangs and saw the plumes of smoke where the rockets were disabled. And yet everyone goes on with their day.”
Heaton described a powerful moment at the Western Wall, where Jews from all walks of life unite in prayer.
“I think there was such intensity at the Western Wall because there are not six degrees of separation on October 7. Everyone knows someone very close to them who has died or been held hostage. So there is an intensity,” she said.
“But I felt a hope for peace, and a hope to carry on, and they are still living life to the fullest.”
Heaton plans to return to Israel in May for a trip and conference that O7C is organizing for Christian and Jewish women called Deborah Rising, named after the Biblical Jewish leader featured in the Book of Judges. The Journey, which is currently accepting applicants, will star Christian and Jewish speakers.
Within the entertainment industry, Heaton said the response to her work included a small amount of support, but a “more vocal, anti-Israel response.”
“These people seem to come from a very emotional place where no facts are presented,” Heaton said. “Like the fact that Hamas attacked civilians without provocation and slaughtered them in the most horrible ways they could imagine. So they started a war they couldn’t handle, using their own people as a shield. And that is why there are civilian victims.”
“Israel is doing everything it can to prevent civilian casualties…. It’s the only force in the world that goes to the enemy and tells them this is where we come in, this is when it happens, and this is where you can go. to be safe,” Heaton said. “And yet these people in the entertainment industry conveniently ignore all these facts. I don’t know why that is. I think maybe it feels good to be emotional.”
Other notable figures who appeared on stage for MDA at the event included award-winning actor Liev Schreiber and Israeli actress and model Moran Atias.
Actor Liev Schreiber speaks at an event for Israel’s Magen David Adom during an event in Aventura, Florida, on December 11, 2024. (Carlos Chattah)
Schreiber discussed his own Jewish background and read stories of MDA employees who lost loved ones and served on the front lines in the aftermath of attacks by Hamas in Israel’s south and Hezbollah in the north. He spoke about being in a “dark place” after October 7, and about the rise of anti-Semitism that Jews have faced since then.
“If a room gets dark, it just helps to turn on the light,” Schreiber said.
The event honored the men and women of all faiths who work for MDA, often risking their lives to help others.
MDA President and former Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan spoke to Fox News Digital during the event. Erdan spoke on October 7 about how Hamas shot at Israeli ambulances as they tried to help victims.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Erdan claimed that Hamas knows it cannot win a war against the Israeli army, so they want to harm as many civilians as possible in an attempt to spread fear and drive them away.
“By strengthening Magen David Adom and ensuring our deployment anywhere, we can save lives in minutes, which is the best way to thwart our enemies’ strategy,” he said.
