Actress and TV host Mayim Bialik took to social media to share the final messages of a victim of the Hamas attacks on Israeli settlements on Saturday.
The Jeopardy! host shared an emotional video across her social media in which she read out “text messages sent from the last moments of people’s lives in Israel.”
On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza.
While many supported her for speaking out, her actions only to share messages from a victim from Israel have caused an online debate.
On Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, she posted a video of herself reading a text message where she appeared on the brink of tears.
The video was captioned: “Some of us have decided to read text messages sent from the last moments of people’s lives in Israel. Yes, this is disturbing and heartbreaking, but it’s something I have decided to do in hopes it can continue to convey the depth of pain and suffering the Jewish people and the Israeli population are experiencing as we defend our right to exist. #TheLastMessage #HamasisISIS.”
The video ends with text that asks the question, “What would you do?” followed by “Hamas is ISIS” and “Share for the world to see.”
Holding back tears, the text message she read in the video said: “‘It’s the end. They got to me. Honey, sorry about everything. Take care of the kids, send a kiss to mom.'”
Although short in length, the video has stirred mixed responses.
Her video was hit with backlash online by some fans who believed she did not support people under siege in Gaza, as she only read messages from those impacted by the Hamas attacks in Israel. Many believe the conflict is between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic political party with an armed wing, and the Israeli government, and not Palestinians and the people of Israel, so therefore, both sides need to be conveyed in messages of support.
A mental health specialist was quick to respond on Instagram: “As a mental health advocate and doctor, I’m surprised that you would read these out. We help no one by hearing this. A Mitzvah, a chapter of Tehillim, a donation to the soldiers and a vote of confidence in Hashem above, are all empowering and positive ways to show support.”
Another user said: “I can’t fathom supporting [one] group of victims over the other. Citizens of both sides are suffering and dying horrifically. The leaders on both sides are wrong. Innocent people are paying the price. There is no right side in this.”
“How does bombed Palestinian children sound like tho? both sides have blood on their hands. and ‘holy land’ has been a pool of blood since forever,” a third user shared.
Some others reacted by lending support to the post.
One social media user praised her stance: “God bless you for having the strength to give voice to those silenced by evil.”
“Keep their voices alive,” a second wrote.
Another added: “Thank you for doing this. The world cannot look away and ignore this. Thank God someone in your industry is speaking out.”
Newsweek has reached out to Bialik’s publicist via email for comment.