A letter condemning comments critical of Israel made by director Jonathan Glazer when accepting an Oscar for his Holocaust film, “The Zone of Interest,” has been signed by hundreds of Jewish actors, producers, and others in the film industry.
Signed by prominent figures like Debra Messing, Julianna Margulies, Lawrence Bender, Amy Pascal, and Amy Sherman-Palladino, the letter was described as a statement from Jewish Hollywood professionals.
Confirmed by activist Allison Josephs, who advocates for Jewish representation in media, the letter had nearly a thousand signatures by Tuesday morning.
It criticized Glazer’s speech at the Academy Awards, where he highlighted the dehumanization depicted in his film and made comments about resisting the exploitation of their Jewish identity in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Glazer’s speech sparked controversy, with some interpreting his words as equating Israeli actions with the Holocaust, leading to allegations of moral equivalence and accusations of fueling anti-Jewish sentiment.
The response letter refuted the comparison between the Nazi regime and Israel, emphasizing that Israel’s actions are targeted against Hamas and not civilians.
It also criticized the use of the term “occupation” to describe Israel’s control of the West Bank and Gaza, suggesting that it distorts historical facts.
Glazer’s remarks at the awards show, a rare mention of the conflict, initially received applause but later faced backlash and misinterpretation.
Representatives for Glazer did not comment on the situation.
Despite the controversy, “The Zone of Interest” received critical acclaim and was nominated for several Oscars, marking a significant milestone for the UK film industry.