More than 150 Jewish professionals in Hollywood, including actors Joaquin Phoenix and Elliott Gould and producer Joel Coen, have come together to sign an open letter in support of writer and director Jonathan Glazer. Glazer faced criticism for his comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict at the Oscars last month, with many in the industry denouncing him. The letter, shared with Variety, addresses concerns of “silencing” dissent and was signed by renowned artists such as directors Todd Haynes and Mike Leigh, as well as actors David Cross, Ilana Glazer, and Abbi Jacobson.
The letter expresses support for Glazer’s statement at the 2024 Oscars and condemns the attacks on him as a distraction from Israel’s escalating military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 32,000 Palestinians and has pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. Glazer’s remarks during his acceptance speech for “The Zone of Interest,” a Holocaust drama, focused on rejecting the hijacking of Jewish identity and the Holocaust by the Israeli occupation. He was criticized for seeming to equate Israel with Nazi Germany, but found support from fellow Jew Tony Kushner, who described the conflict as looking like ethnic cleansing.
The letter highlights the grief felt for all those affected on both sides of the conflict, acknowledging the deaths of 1,200 Israelis in Hamas attacks and the taking of 253 hostages. It condemns the suppression of free speech and dissent that has followed Glazer’s comments, emphasizing the right to speak out against the killing of Palestinian civilians without being accused of fueling anti-Semitism. The signatories include prominent figures such as Steven Spielberg and call for the ability to condemn violence against Palestinians without facing backlash.
The ongoing bombing campaign in Israel led to calls for a cease-fire from various entities, including the United Nations and celebrities such as Melissa Barrera and Susan Sarandon. The signatories of the open letter, which also includes Debra Winger, Lenny Abrahamson, and Hari Nef, believe that their stance is morally sound and aligns with the principle of “Never again,” which they interpret as meaning “Never again for anyone.” The conflict has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties in Gaza, with reports of over 33,037 Palestinians killed, mainly women and children.
The situation in Gaza escalated further when Israeli airstrikes killed seven World Central Kitchen workers who were attempting to deliver food aid to besieged Palestinians. The aid organizations suspended operations in response to the violence, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The support for Glazer’s perspective on the Israel-Gaza conflict reflects a push for open dialogue and condemnation of violence against civilians, regardless of their background. The Hollywood professionals who signed the letter aim to stand in solidarity with those affected by the conflict and advocate for peace and justice in the region.
