Amy Schumer shared her feelings about the war between Israel and Hamas in an emotional statement posted on her Instagram account on Friday.
In her message, the 42-year-old comedian spoke about her experience of being “ashamed” of her Jewish identity during her younger years and how she had to “laugh” at hurtful jokes to fit in with her former classmates.
The performer — who recently signed an open letter condemning the “barbaric acts” of Hamas soldiers — then expressed her sympathy for the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict, as well as Jews abroad.
Schumer began her statement by talking about her family relationship with a Nazi concentration camp survivor and her experience growing up Jewish.
“As a child I grew up with Uncle Alex, the numbers from Auschwitz burned into his forearm.” They attend Hebrew school and read endless books about the Holocaust like all Jewish children. Learning about the worlds confuses the hatred towards us,” she wrote.
Speaking Out: Amy Schumer shared her feelings about the war between Israel and Hamas in an emotional statement posted to her Instagram account on Friday; she was seen earlier this month
The I Feel Pretty actress also opened up about how her heritage made her a target during her school years.
She recalls that students and parents “made fun of her for being Jewish.” Ashamed and scared, I kept it quiet. I learned to laugh at all the “Jewish jokes” and make them myself.’
The performer talked about how she had to deal with comments about “how the Jews were greedy and rich while I had to share a bed with my mom while I lived with other families in little basements and attics because we had no money.”
Schumer said at the time that she embraced her Jewish identity and was not afraid to speak publicly about her heritage.
“I don’t laugh or keep silent anymore.” I am proud to come from a population that has been tried to exterminate over and over again for thousands of years. “My ancestors fought too much and survived too much for me to sit still,” she said.
The comedian has also publicly expressed her sympathy and support for Jews and Palestinians involved in the ongoing war.
‘I am a Jew. I’m proud. My heart breaks for Israel. It is also breaking for the innocent people in Gaza. I love my Palestinian brothers and sisters. “Palestinians are not Hamas, which only wants to exterminate the remaining 16 million of us,” she wrote.
Schumer concluded her message by asking her followers to ‘donate’ to charities aimed at helping those involved in the war and asked her fans to ‘reach out to your Jewish and Palestinian friends’.
Opening: In her message, the 42-year-old comedian spoke about her experience of feeling “ashamed” of her Jewish identity during her younger years and how she had to “laugh along” at offensive jokes to fit in with her former classmates .
Proud: Schumer said at the time that she embraced her Jewish identity and wasn’t afraid to speak publicly about her heritage; see you in 2022
From the Heart: The comedian has also publicly expressed her sympathy and support for Jews and Palestinians involved in the ongoing war; see you in 2022
The artist also shared a short statement in the caption of her post to speak out in support of individuals on both sides of the conflict.
“Please don’t worry about saying the perfect thing to your friends, you can just say ‘I’m not sure what to say, but I love you.’ I’m here and I’m sorry” you don’t have to pick sides. I didn’t choose a side.’
She added that many like-minded people “were just begging our friends not to let them try to exterminate us again.”
Schumer has re-shared a number of war-related posts on her Instagram account since the conflict intensified earlier this month.
