During the Academy Awards last Sunday, Jonathan Glazer gave a speech about the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict during his acceptance for Best International Film that stirred up controversy within the industry. Since then, a letter has floated around, condemning his speech that has generated well over 450 signatures. 

Best International Film went to Zone Of Interest this year, which Glazer wrote and directed. The film chronicles the daily life of German officer Rudolf Höss and his family, who live next to Auschwitz during the height of the Holocaust. 

“Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people,” said Glazer, as part of his speech. 

“Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?” the director went on to say. 

As Hollywood Reporter stated, the signatures acquired come from a vast array of Jewish talents within Hollywood, ranging from actors to producers. Hollywood Reporter also posted a complete list of those signing the letter, along with the letter itself. 

Part of the letter states, “it gives credence to the modern blood libel that fuels a growing anti-Jewish hatred around the world, in the United States, and in Hollywood.  The current climate of growing antisemitism only underscores the need for the Jewish State of Israel, a place which will always take us in, as no state did during the Holocaust depicted in Mr. Glazer’s film.”

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