Tony Kushner has voiced his support for Jonathan Glazer’s speech at the Oscars. He praised the British director’s words during the ceremony as a powerful and undeniable statement.
In a recent discussion on the Haaretz Podcast, Kushner, a screenwriter with four Academy Award nominations, shared his thoughts on various issues, including the Israel-Gaza conflict. He highlighted Glazer’s Oscars speech, which faced criticism from some Jewish figures in Hollywood and led to an open letter signed by 1,000 people.
While in Israel to promote his play “Angels in America” in Tel Aviv, Kushner addressed the controversy surrounding Glazer’s Oscars speech. He described the speech as a strong and irrefutable statement and expressed his agreement with Glazer’s views, questioning who wouldn’t agree with such sentiments.
Kushner elaborated on Glazer’s message, emphasizing that Jewish identity and history, including the Holocaust and Jewish suffering, should never justify dehumanizing or harming others. He firmly rejected the misuse of Jewish heritage as an excuse for such actions.
He further questioned the acceptance of the current situation in Gaza by anyone, criticizing those who, because of their Jewish identity, feel compelled to defend all actions by Israel without question.
Earlier in the podcast, Kushner, who has long criticized Israel’s policies and the treatment of Palestinians, especially under Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed claims that calling for a ceasefire equates to antisemitism. He argued that those advocating for a ceasefire are not antisemites but are deeply concerned about the loss of life and the apparent ethnic cleansing occurring.
Kushner expressed his desire for Israelis to live in peace and security. However, he pointed out that the treatment of Palestinians, the occupation of the West Bank, the conditions in Gaza, and the security measures like checkpoints and walls do not contribute to Israel’s safety. He called for a reconsideration of these policies, echoing the sentiments of many Israelis who have voiced similar concerns for decades.