Jonathan Glazer's Oscar speech calling end to aggression in Gaza and Middle East scrutinised by Hollywood Jewish community

SHAH ALAM - Acclaimed director of the internationally recognised film The Zone of Interest used his moment in the spotlight at the Academy Awards on March 10 this year, commonly known as the Oscars, to deliver a powerful message advocating for peace in the Middle East and addressed the Israeli aggression on Palestinians.

Accepting the prestigious award for Best International Film, Jonathan Glazer lured the audience with a speech that resonated beyond the realms of cinema as he expressed solidarity with innocent victims on both sides of the conflict, condemning the loss of innocent lives in Gaza and Israel.

Despite highlighting both sides of the divide, the Jewish filmaker received an open letter signed by about 450 Jewish creatives, executives and Hollywood professionals denouncing Glazer's speech, in which he renounced his statement: “Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people”.

The day after the open letter was published, more than 500 additional signatories put their name to it, bringing the total to more than 1,000.

Echoing Glazer’s words, the group’s statement says: “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.”

Among the signatories include the very vocal actress Debra Messing, Eli Roth, Amy Pascal, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Julianna Margulies and Nancy Spielberg – a producer and the sister of Steven Spielberg.

The statement continued: “The use of words like ‘occupation’ to describe an indigenous Jewish people defending a homeland that dates back thousands of years, and has been recognised as a state by the United Nations, distorts history. 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.”

Glazer’s speech at the Oscars, accepting the award for best foreign language film alongside producer James Wilson and financier Len Blavatnik, was received warmly in the Dolby theatre, with enthusiastic applause from the likes of Billie Eilish and Mark Ruffalo, who wore ceasefire pins. Ruffalo, who arrived late due to the traffic congestion caused by the ceasefire protest on the streets of Hollywood was seen telling journalists "Humanity wins" and "We need to peace".

Glazer's words highlighted the relevance of his film's narrative to contemporary global issues, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in which he emphasised the importance of reflecting on the present through the lens of history.

“All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then, rather look at what we do now. Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst. It shaped all of our past and present.

“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.

“Whether the victims of Oct 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanisation, how do we resist?,” he said in his speech.

The backlash to Glazer’s words began a day after the Oscars, when the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called them “morally reprehensible”. On March 14, The Zone of Interest’s executive producer, Danny Cohen, said he “fundamentally disagreed” with Glazer on the issue.

Meanwhile, in a touching tribute, Glazer dedicated the film to the memory of an elderly Polish woman named Alexandria, highlighting her courageous role in the Polish resistance during her youth.

This gesture added a personal dimension to Glazer's message, honouring the resilience of individuals who have fought against oppression and injustice.

The Zone of Interest marks a significant milestone for British cinema, earning the country its first-ever Oscar win in the Best International Film category. Glazer's film, adapted from Martin Amis' novel and shot in Poland, captivated audiences with its portrayal of life in Auschwitz during World War 2.