The Holocaust Survivors Foundation attacked Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glaser for refuting his “Jewishness” and claiming the genocide of 6 million Jews was “hijacked” by the Israeli “occupation” .
Glaser’s film “Zone of Interest,” about the life of the Nazi commandant Auschwitz and his family next door to the concentration camp, won two Oscars at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday. was awarded. While accepting the award for best international feature, Glazer referenced the ongoing Israel-Gaza war and suggested that both Israel and Hamas were guilty of the type of “dehumanization” that led to the Holocaust. .
“Our film shows where dehumanization reaches its worst…Now we stand here as men who speak out against being Jewish and the Holocaust, hijacked by the occupation. .Whether it’s the victims of October 7th, leading to the conflict of so many innocent people, whether in Israel or the ongoing Gaza attacks – all the victims of this dehumanization…us How do we resist that?” Glaser said.
Jonathan, winner of Best International Feature Film for “Zone of Interest,” poses in the press room during the 96th Academy Awards ceremony held at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Glazer. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
David Schechter, president of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation of America, wrote an open letter on Monday to Glaser for comparing Israel to Hamas and the Holocaust.
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“On Sunday night, you used the Oscars podium to equate Hamas’ insane brutality against innocent Israelis with Israel’s difficult but necessary self-defense in the face of Hamas’ continued brutality. “Your comments are factually inaccurate and morally indefensible,” the 94-year-old Holocaust survivor wrote.
He said: “The ‘professions’ you are talking about have nothing to do with the Holocaust. The existence of the Jewish people and their right to live in the Land of Israel existed hundreds of years before the Holocaust. Today’s The political and geographical situation is a direct result of that.” We are talking about wars started by past Arab leaders who refused to accept Jews as neighbors in our historic homeland. Now that several Arab countries are making peace with Israel because security and prosperity are better for everyone, Iran and its terrorist proxies have started a new war. Too many people are being egged on, innocently or maliciously, to blame the ‘occupation’. ”
Jonathan Glazer referenced the Holocaust and criticized Israel’s alleged “dehumanization” of Gazans. (Photo: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images/Photo: Piotr Malecki)
Schechter also said it was “shameful” that Glaser, a Jewish man, brought up the Holocaust and criticized Israel when he won an award for a film set in Auschwitz.
“Even worse, you chose to use the Holocaust to justify your personal opinions. You made a Holocaust movie, you won an Oscar, and you’re Jewish.” . Good for you. But it’s a disgrace for you to say you’re going to speak for the 6 million Jews, including 1.5 million people who were murdered just for being Jewish. of children,” Schechter wrote.
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“And it’s shameful to speak for those of us who have personally seen our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins murdered and the world silenced. “In fact, we had no place anywhere,” he continued. Go – There is no place to take shelter. No country would accept us, even though world leaders were well aware that thousands of Jews were being murdered every day. There was no Jewish state from which we could escape. You should be ashamed of yourself for taking advantage of Auschwitz, which criticizes Israel. ”
Glaser accused both Hamas and Israel of “dehumanization.” (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Mr. Schechter was joined by 18 members of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation United States Executive Committee and 24 other member organizations.
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FOX News’ Jessica Sonkin contributed to this report.
