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Debra Messing at Israel Film Festival Event Discusses ‘Dismantling Virulent Jew Hatred’ Through Film
(From left) IFF Founder and Executive Director Meir Feningstein, IFF honoree Debra Messing, and Jonah Platt. Photo: Michelle Mivzari
Jewish Emmy and SAG Award-winning actress Debra Messing was honored at a luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., leading up to the start of the 37th Israel Film Festival (IFF) in Los Angeles.
Messing — who is also a human rights activist and the executive producer of the documentary “October 8” about the rise of antisemitism on college campuses – received the 2025 IFF Achievement in Film and Television Award at the event on June 6. The award was presented to her by Jewish podcaster and actor Jonah Platt.
“I have always believed that storytelling is the most powerful tool we have to reveal humanity in all its shapes, and facets; to inspire empathy, to illuminate truths and to give voice to those who’s peoplehood and cultures have been ignored,” the former “Will & Grace” star said upon accepting her award. “That is the beauty of film and television. Stories help us remember our shared humanity.”
“They challenge prejudice, bridge divides, and preserve culture,” she added. “They show us what’s possible. And that is what the Israel Film Festival has done for nearly four decades. Especially now, when so many Israeli films are being denied entry into festivals or pulled from platforms — it’s more vital than ever that we support Israeli filmmakers; that we watch their work and help amplify their art. Because they are telling stories that matter. Stories of resilience, innovation, survival, family, and identity. These stories are a potent way to help dismantle the virulent Jew hatred, and erasure of Israel’s sovereignty.”
Those in attendance at the luncheon included Yehuda and Yotam Cohen, the father and brother of Hamas hostage Nimrod Cohen, who has been held captive for over 600 days. They addressed the audience and called for the immediate release of all hostages abducted by Hamas-led terrorists during their deadly rampage across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Also at the luncheon, Rabbi Marvin Hier — founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, its Museum of Tolerance, and Moriah Films — received the 2025 IFF Humanitarian Award. Film producer Brad Krevoy presented the award to Hier, who is also the recipient of two Academy Awards.
“I believe the role of film in shaping our values and future will only grow,” Hier said in his acceptance speech. “Your work has never been as important and necessary as it is today, at a time when our world needs more guidance than ever. As our sages teach us, the Heavens belong to God, but the earth was given to man, it is up to us to tell our story to secure our destiny, to confront the bigots and haters! As long as we continue to do that, Netzach Yisrael Lo Yeshaker. The eternity of Israel will never be forsaken. Am Yisrael Chai! [Long live Israel].”
The luncheon took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona R. Nazarian issued a proclamation to Meir Fenigstein, founder and executive director of the Israeli Film Festival.
“I am very proud that no matter what is happening in the world and in Israel we are producing this event year after year,” said Fenigstein. “I feel it’s my mission to bring us all together and celebrate films, each other and the Jewish contribution to cinema. This has been a challenging time for all of us since Oct. 7 as cultural events like these are facing boycotts worldwide. This is not just an entertainment event. This festival shows our contributions to the arts, society, and humanity.”
The 37th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles will take place from Nov. 5–20. It will highlight Israel’s film and television industry, and provides opportunities for cooperation, distribution, and co-production between American and Israeli film and television industries.
The post Debra Messing at Israel Film Festival Event Discusses ‘Dismantling Virulent Jew Hatred’ Through Film first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.