Hamas Terror Sparks Patricia Heaton's Passionate Defense of Israel: 'Felt God Calling'

Actress Patricia Heaton is on a mission to stand up for the Israeli people, remaining steadfast in her opposition to Hamas, terror, and negative narratives permeating university students' hearts and minds. "The Everybody Lives Raymond" star told CBN News she decided to take action after going on social media in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack against Israel and "seeing horrendous videos of terrorists butchering Israeli civilians, children, babies, the elderly — families being burned alive, people being beheaded." These horrific scenes left Heaton "shocked. She initially recalled assuming the "rest of the world would be outraged." Instead, she was rocked by the "silence" she observed as well as disturbing support for Hamas. Some of the patterns of conversation and behavior on college campuses, in particular, left her stunned. "I just thought, 'Something has to be done here,'" Heaton said, explaining how she partnered with a friend to launch the October 7 Coalition, a "network of Christians standing visibly and vocally against the rise of antisemitism" in America. Ultimately, the actress said she felt the Lord pressing her up to the plate to try and make an impact. "I felt God calling me to do something," she said, noting her friend Elizabeth Dorros co-founded the organization alongside her. "We just were answering a call that came to our hearts." "The Middle" alum said the organization is standing up to a rising tide of misinformation and chaos. "There's been a lot of propaganda being seeded through universities, through institutions, by people whose salary is paid by Iran, by Hamas, by Hezbollah, by Qatar, to brainwash and propagandize people into thinking that Israel is an occupier of Gaza, even though they left there in 2005," Heaton said. In addition to advocating for the truth, Heaton is gearing up for the "Deborah Rising" conference, which will be held in Israel May 17-24. Attendees will tour and will hear different Bible interpretations and perspectives and build friendships with one another. Ultimately, they will take a stand against antisemitism and support Israel. Watch the weekly "Newsmakers" TV show each week on CBN News Watch the weekly "Newsmakers" TV show on CBN's YouTube channel Download the free CBN News App