Selma Blair Dreams of Aliyah, Cites Hollywood Backlash Over Israel Stance

American actress Selma Blair revealed her dream of immigrating to Israel during a conference hosted by the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington D.C. Blair, 54, who starred in films like "Cruel Intentions" and "Hellboy," expressed a lifelong desire to make Aliyah, stating, "My dream is to make Aliyah to Israel. I have hoped for this since I was a child." She also shared her hope to bring her late mother's remains to be buried in Israel, fulfilling her mother's own dream.

Blair spoke candidly about her deep connection to Judaism and Israel, and the professional and personal repercussions she has faced in Hollywood following her statements after the October 7th Hamas attack. She described experiencing alienation in Hollywood, stating, "I was completely erased in Hollywood." Blair detailed a specific incident in February 2024 where a strong reaction on Instagram to a post by activist Abraham Hamra led to her being accused of Islamophobia. She had criticized Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush for opposing a bill targeting those involved in the October 7th attack. Blair later apologized, admitting she had mistakenly conflated Muslims with extremist Islamists, and that her words had unintentionally hurt many.

She explained that the controversy surrounding her comment was the beginning of a much larger professional estrangement. "I reacted emotionally against terrorism on the page of an Iranian-American friend, and they misunderstood. I clarified it, but I was powerfully canceled in my inner circle. I lost my agent, manager, publicists, and social media people. Every friend I had in the business, basically. Everyone," she recounted. Blair described the difficult climate in Hollywood, noting that she and her son have suffered due to her stance, and expressed a wish for more support.

Blair shared that the Jewish community is the only place where she feels she can speak freely. She is currently working on a documentary titled "Hineni" (Here I Am), which explores antisemitism and attitudes toward Israel. The film aims to understand the current reality and include diverse perspectives, even from those who disagree with her. She mentioned that the documentary will feature footage from Israel to illustrate its profound significance for Jewish people.

Her appearance also comes after a challenging personal period, including her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), diagnosed in 2018, and a recent incident on a Delta flight in April where she was arrested following reports of aggressive behavior towards crew members. Blair has pleaded not guilty to assault charges related to the flight incident, with her representatives stating she experienced a medical event. Despite these difficulties, Blair finds strength in her faith, often reciting "Shema Yisrael" and speaking to God and the people of Israel for comfort.