In a moment that lit up the Emmys telecast and social media, Hannah Einbinder won her first-ever Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Hacks. The win was a long time coming for the actor, but it was the end of her acceptance speech that will be remembered most. After her gracious thank-yous, Einbinder delivered a powerful and explicit political statement, saying, “Go Birds, f— ICE and free Palestine.” The profanity was bleeped, but the message was heard loud and clear.
Einbinder’s statement was the first overtly political moment of the ceremony and follows the release of an open letter signed by nearly 4,000 industry figures, including Einbinder herself, pledging to boycott Israeli institutions and film companies complicit in what they call “genocide and apartheid” against the Palestinian people. The boycott has been met with controversy, with major studios like Paramount condemning the action.
A Gracious and Defiant Winner
Before her final remarks, Einbinder’s speech was a mix of humor and sincere gratitude. She began by joking about her previous Emmy losses, saying she was “really committed to the personal narrative that it was actually cooler to continue to lose.” But, she admitted, this win was “also cool too! This is also punk rock.”
The actor went on to thank the show’s creators for “changing my life in every conceivable way” and her co-star, the legendary Jean Smart, describing her as a “sun” whose warmth she is lucky to stand in. Her sincerity was evident, even as a timer on the screen began counting down a $1,000 donation for every second she went over the 45-second speech limit. Noticing the clock, Einbinder quipped, “Oh, I’ll pay the difference, sorry.”
A “Jewish Person’s Obligation
In the press room after her win, Einbinder elaborated on her comments. She explained that the issue is “very dear to my heart” and that she has friends on the ground in Gaza working as frontline aid workers. She feels it is her “obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel.”
She also clarified her stance on the boycott, stating that it is a tool to create “pressure on the powers that be to meet the moment.” The boycott, she explained, is not a personal attack but a targeted action against institutions she believes are complicit in genocide.
Einbinder’s win is a significant milestone in her career. She has been nominated four times for her role as Ava Daniels on Hacks and has also been recognized at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. Her career continues to be on the rise, and her powerful speech at the Emmys has ensured she will be remembered for more than just her performance.
