Adam Brody, who plays Rabbi Noah Roklov in Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” recently stirred controversy with his remarks concerning the Gaza situation, drawing criticism from Rabbi Steve Leder, who consulted on the show.
In a GQ interview, Brody expressed his view on Israel and Gaza, stating, “Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine. It’s awful that it’s taken so much death and misery, but it does feel like it’s reaching a breaking point that it should have a while ago.” His comments sparked a strong response from Leder, a rabbi based in Los Angeles.
Leder, who was involved in shaping the show’s depiction of Judaism, took to Instagram to express his disapproval of Brody’s “flippant” comments. He remarked, “The flippancy was adding insult to injury, in my opinion, and needed to be addressed. That is a word and that is a geopolitical situation that warrants anything but flippancy.”
Leder argued that the term “genocide” holds a specific meaning, stating that Brody’s application of it regarding Gaza was an oversimplification. He referenced the United Nations’ definition, which describes genocide as acts intended to destroy specific national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups.
“Israel’s war is against Hamas. It’s not about nationality, ethnicity, or religion,” Leder clarified. He emphasized that Israel is comprised of various nationalities and faiths, and its actions are not directed against them.
The rabbi found fault with Brody’s presentation of his views as fact, saying, “This is where I felt that Adam Brody went terribly wrong. He presented an opinion as a fact. And that is a mistake for any of us who are in the public eye.” In “Nobody Wants This,” Brody’s character falls for an agnostic woman, played by Kristen Bell, a storyline inspired by the creator’s real-life relationship.
Brody isn’t the first Jewish celebrity to label Israel’s actions as genocide; others like Hannah Einbinder and Ilana Glazer have also voiced similar critiques. Leder maintained that while public figures can share their views, they should clarify that these views are opinions rather than facts.
He felt a particular obligation to respond to Brody’s remarks due to his role in a production that addresses Jewish representation. The fact that Brody plays a rabbi adds another layer to the controversy, which Leder described as “doubly heartbreaking.”
“Actors are not their roles, and we all understand that, they’re acting. But in the minds of the public, it’s sometimes hard to separate those two things,” Leder observed. He concluded by suggesting that public figures should refrain from commenting on subjects they aren’t well-informed about, reiterating, “If you know nothing about something, you should say nothing.”
