American author and screenwriter Tony Kushner has backed Jonathan Glazer’s controversial Oscar acceptance speech. Kushner spoke with Haaretz podcast host Alison Kaplan Sommer about Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar speech, the Gaza war and anti-Semitism in the United States.
He said Glazer’s comments at the 2024 Oscars were “untouchable and irrefutable.”
On Wednesday’s episode of his podcast, the four-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter explained how he perceives the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Notably, Glazers’ speech was condemned by many Jewish stars in the Hollywood industry and was ultimately the subject of an open letter signed by 1,000 people.
In his speech, the director, who won the Academy Award for Best International Film for “Zone of Interest,” said:
Our film shows where dehumanization reaches its worst. It has shaped our entire past and present. Now we stand here as people who speak out against being Jewish and being held hostage in the Holocaust by an occupation that caused conflict for so many innocent people.
All the victims of this dehumanization, whether they were the victims of October, the victims of October 7 in Israel, or the victims of the ongoing attack on Gaza, how do we resist? Is it possible?
Asked if he agreed with Glaser’s speech, Mr. Kushner said: “I agree with Mr. Glaser’s speech. Of course, who wouldn’t? He further adds
What he said was very simple. that Jewishness, Jewish identity, Jewish history, the history of the Holocaust, and the history of Jewish suffering must not be used in campaigns as pretexts for projects of dehumanization and genocide of other human beings. is. The highly controversial speech was endorsed by Kushner, who said: This is an appropriation of what it means to be Jewish and what the Holocaust means. he refuses it. Who would object?
Still, Mr. Kushner has emerged as one of the first popular Jewish American artists to publicly denounce Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The playwright is currently in Tel Aviv to promote production of his award-winning play “Angels in America.” He also spoke on the podcast about how former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are “drinking from the same sick well.” Kushner also made sure to express his warm feelings for the famous and commercially successful director Steven Spielberg, with whom he has worked on four projects.