An open letter condemning Jonathan Glazer's Zone of Interest Oscars acceptance speech has been signed by more than 450 Jewish Hollywood professionals. The group consists of actors, executives, directors, creators, producers, and representatives denouncing Glazer's controversial comments made when accepting the Academy Award for best international film on March 10.
The letter refutes the use of Jewishness to draw a moral equivalence between the Nazi regime and the Israeli nation. Glazer's speech at the 2024 Oscars sparked criticism as he addressed the Israel-Gaza conflict, stating, 'Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst.' He further expressed views that were deemed inappropriate by the signatories of the open letter.
The signatories expressed concern over the distortion of history by using terms like 'occupation' to describe Israel's defense of its homeland. They highlighted the dangers of perpetuating anti-Jewish sentiments and the importance of supporting the Jewish State of Israel in the face of growing antisemitism.
A24, the film's producer, declined to comment on the matter, and Glazer's representative did not immediately respond. The full letter includes a list of co-signees from various sectors of the entertainment industry, emphasizing their rejection of the narrative presented in Glazer's speech.
The signatories emphasized that every civilian death in Gaza is tragic and clarified that Israel is targeting Hamas, not civilians. They underscored the need to differentiate between historical facts and misleading narratives that could fuel hatred towards the Jewish community.
The open letter serves as a unified voice from Jewish professionals in Hollywood, denouncing the misrepresentation of historical events and advocating for a nuanced understanding of the Israel-Gaza conflict. The signatories reaffirmed their commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting the Jewish State of Israel.
