Pro-Israel US actor Rapaport says Bibas family tragedy is a 'heartbreaking loss'

The pro-Israel American actor and comedian Michael Rapaport shared his thoughts about the Bibas family hostage tragedy in an interview with Ynet News on Wednesday.

"May their memory be a revolution," the Jewish actor said. "Their story touched everyone, and obviously, this is not the ending we wanted. It’s a horrific, heartbreaking loss. I can’t even begin to imagine what their family is going through."

Israeli mother, Shiri Bibas, and her young children Ariel (4 years) and Kfir (9 months) were kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and later brutally murdered by terrorists in Gaza. Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, who was also kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, was released earlier in February.

Rapaport, who has been critical of anti-Israel media coverage, believes that the world is gradually realizing what threats the Jewish state is facing.

"I do feel like the world is starting to wake up," he assessed. "Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iranian regime –they’ve never hidden their intentions. Their only goal is to terrorize, to kill Jews, to destroy Israel. It’s not a secret. They say it openly, and their actions prove it. What happened to the Bibas family – how they were treated, how they were paraded around – it was disgusting, demonic. I hope and pray the world is finally seeing them for what they are," Rapaport said during the interview.

He has repeatedly called for the release of all the remaining hostages still being held captive in Gaza, including five dual American-Israeli citizens.

"The world must not forget them," Rapaport stated. "America must not forget them. There are still five Americans in captivity, along with so many others. Every single one of them must be freed – immediately," Rapaport urged.

The actor-comedian has faced some amount of criticism for his strong pro-Israel positions, however, he still believes that the silent majority supports the Jewish state against its genocidal enemies.

"Social media is fake, but I feel like the vast majority stand with Israel," he asserted. "Of course, there are the lunatics, the provocateurs, and the fake accounts. But overall, I believe most people understand the truth of what’s happening."

Rapaport openly admitted that his advocacy for Israel is primarily rooted in his strong sense of Jewish identity.

"There was never a choice – I stand with my people, and I always will," he said.

"The pain I feel is nothing compared to what the Bibas family’s relatives are going through, what the hostage families are going through, what the soldiers fighting in the IDF are facing. I try to take myself out of the equation and keep fighting for them as long as I can," Rapaport added.

In March 2024, Rapaport was among 450 Jewish Hollywood personalities who criticized the “The Zone of Interest” film director, Jonathan Glazer, for comparing the Hamas terrorist organization with the Israeli government during his Academy Awards speech.