Social media users have been discussing an episode of HBO’s comedy series Hacks after noticing a costume detail on one of the show’s co-stars that references a Palestinian football team.
In the scene, Ava Daniels, portrayed by Hannah Einbinder, is seen in the kitchen preparing coffee and wearing a Palestinian football club jersey named “Lajee Celtic” with a Palestinian flag on its sleeve.
Fans have showered the television show with praise. “It makes my hair stand up that they used the Jersey of one of the greatest Palestinian teams on one of the most awarded shows,” one person said. “I can literally cry how good this show is.” “I am happy that Hannah Einbinder is representing Palestine on one of the Hollywood channels,” another fan wrote. “Again, Hannah Einbinder is demonstrating that celebrities can do it if they want. This is the biggest comedy on HBO, and the co-lead of the show wears this.”
Einbinder has been vocal on Palestine before. In her acceptance speech for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Ava Daniels at last year’s Emmys, she ended with a bold statement: “F— ICE and Free Palestine. Thank you.”
Einbinder went further to explain her stance while conversing backstage with co-star Jean Smart, who had won Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. “I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the State of Israel, because our religion and our culture is such an important and long-standing institution that is really separate to this sort of ethno-nationalist state,” she told Variety.
Einbinder also noted that she has family members who are practicing physicians working on the front lines in northern Gaza, treating pregnant women and children in refugee camps.
Apart from her statements, Einbinder has also joined thousands of actors, actresses, and producers who signed an open letter promising to turn down projects associated with institutions and Israeli film organizations responsible for the genocide and apartheid of Palestinians.
“It’s like many movements. Boycotting is an effective tool to create pressure on the powers that be to meet the moment,” she said of the reason behind her signature. “The film workers for Palestine boycott does not boycott individuals, it only boycotts institutions that are directly complicit in the genocide. It’s important to me, and I think it’s an important measure, and so I was happy to be a part of it.”
Hacks airs on HBO.
