Michael Rapaport. Photo: YouTube screenshot

Jewish actor, comedian and Israel supporter Michael Rapaport discussed in a new interview with i24News the rise of antisemitism following the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel while also condemning the savagery carried out by the terrorist organization against civilians in the Jewish state.

Rapaport has been an outspoken advocate for Israel and Jews worldwide over the years on social media. After receiving hateful comments online for speaking out in defense of Israel, and against Hamas and antisemitism, during the ongoing war, he pledged to donate a dollar to the Israel Defense Forces for every anti-Israel or antisemitic post on his platforms that includes the emoji of the Palestinian flag.

“I don’t understand how all of a sudden a group that can commit such horrendous acts of terror on Oct. 7 somehow, someway has gotten more popular since,” the actor said about the support that the Hamas terrorist organization has garnered since the attacks in early October. “It’s like they’re the Beatles of terrorists. It’s shocking. People are misinformed and crazy. I don’t understand it.”

He also spoke to i24News about having no “doubt or hesitation” to use his online platform to support of those affected by the Israel-Hamas war, even while others stay silent or attack him for defending Israel, like his former Money for Nothing costar John Cusack. “Everybody should be speaking up, whether you’re Jewish or not Jewish. It’s a disgusting situation; a frightening situation,” Rapaport said.

“Obviously no one wants civilians to be killed in Gaza and nobody wants civilians to be murdered raped and kidnapped in Israel or anywhere,” he added. “This is a horrible, horrible barbarian group of savage animals, the Hamas terrorist group, and there was no hesitation to support America when we were attacked in 9/11 and this is the same thing. And the antisemitism that has come since and that comes every day — these are not people that are about negotiating [or] want peace.”

He also explained that while Jews and Israelis are the “flavor of the month” for Hamas and their latest targets, if their reign of terror continues, the terrorist organization will then go after other minorities as well, including Christians and atheists.

“[But] Jewish people aren’t going anywhere. Israel isn’t going anywhere,” he concluded by saying. “We just have to keep our heads calm, and keep our heads and our chests out tall.”