More than 450 Jewish Hollywood professionals have signed an open letter denouncing Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech for his film “Zone of Interest” at the Oscars. The letter addresses Glazer’s controversial comments made during the ceremony on March 10.
The signatories, including actors, executives, directors, creators, producers, and representatives, expressed their objection to Glazer’s remarks, particularly his attempt to draw a moral equivalence between the Holocaust and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
“We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination,” the letter states.
During his acceptance speech, Glazer emphasized the relevance of his film to the present, stating, “All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say, ‘Look what they did then’; rather, ‘what we do now.'” He went on to address the Israel-Gaza conflict, asserting his stance against the “occupation” and expressing solidarity with the victims.
The open letter criticizes Glazer’s use of terms like “occupation” to describe Israel’s defense of its homeland and accuses him of distorting history. It also highlights the growing antisemitism worldwide and argues for the necessity of the Jewish State of Israel.
A24, the film’s producer, declined to comment on the matter. Glazer’s representative has not responded to the controversy.
The full letter, along with the list of co-signees, was included in the statement.
