Ben Platt shows support for Palestine and shares alienation from community on social media

Express Tribune

15-04-2025

Tony Award-winning actor and singer Ben Platt has recently voiced support for Palestinian rights, sharing posts on social media that align him with pro-Palestinian activists and expressing subtle tensions with his pro-Israel family.
Platt reposted comedian Hannah Einbinder's recent speech condemning Israel's actions in Gaza on his Instagram Story. In his post, he praised her words and referenced feeling alienated from his own community's political stance. While Platt did not name family members directly, his father, Marc Platt, is a high-profile Hollywood producer with known pro-Israel affiliations.
Platt also used his Instagram story to mention Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate who was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil's arrest has drawn attention from human rights advocates and campus activists across the country. Platt's post appeared to signal solidarity with Khalil, although he did not elaborate further.
These expressions of support represent a rare public stance from the 'Dear Evan Hansen' star, especially in light of his family's political leanings. Platt's engagement reflects a broader generational divide within American Jewish communities, with younger figures increasingly critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.
Platt has not issued a full statement or clarified his views beyond the social media posts. However, his willingness to elevate voices like Einbinder's and Khalil's places him among a growing number of public figures cautiously engaging in discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As debate over Gaza intensifies, Platt's posts illustrate how personal identity, family history, and public responsibility often intersect in complicated ways for high-profile entertainers.