Jonathan Glazer's Oscars Speech Sparks Jewish Fury: 'Betrayed His People'

While accepting his award for Best International Film for The Zone of Interest at the Oscars on Sunday, director Jonathan Glazer spoke about the ongoing attack on Gaza, and not everyone was impressed.

Glazer's film follows the life of a Nazi commandant whose house is just outside Auschwitz concentration camp. During his speech, Glazer addressed the Israel-Hamas war.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's war on Hamas began with the military arm of the militant group's deadly October 7, 2023, attack, the Associated Press reported, citing health officials in Gaza.

Glazer took to the stage with producer James Wilson, both of whom are Jewish, and said: "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 October 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist?"

His speech has proved divisive online, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts.

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Glazer for comment.

Media personality Rabbi Shmuley is one of many people who shared their thoughts on social media.

"Absolutely disgusting!! Jonathan Glazer who deserves so much credit for his incredible holocaust film "The zone of interest" which I loved, betrayed his people and disgraced himself and trivialized the 6 million martyrs of the holocaust, when he said that Israel's War in Gaza was hijacking the memory of the holocaust," he wrote.

"How dare you compare the two? You fool. The whole purpose of Israel's war in Gaza is to make sure THERE ISN'T A SECOND HOLOCAUST so we don't need more of your films because Jews actually remain alive. HAMAS HAS ONE INTENTION. GENOCIDE OF JEWS. How is it the Jews in Hollywood have absolutely no pride in being Jewish and never ever stand up for the only Jewish country on earth, Israel."

Others shared similar thoughts on the social media platform.

"Despite the disgusting speech from Jonathan Glazer, support for Israel will remain strong and united. Am Yisrael Chai," another person wrote, with "Am Yisrael Chai" translating to "The People of Israel Live" in English.

A third added: "Just because antisemitism comes from the mouth of a Jew doesn't make it any less antisemitic. That seems to be a hard lesson for some of y'all."

However, others praised Glazer for speaking up.

"Jonathan Glazer was shaking as he gave his Oscar acceptance speech. He knew that his Integrity and goodwill may indeed cost him his career. This is how Apartheid Israel influenced Those United States. Israel is an Apartheid State that is officially on trial for Genocide," one person wrote.

"Jonathan Glazer keeping his mouth shut on Gaza all awards season so he could win his Oscar and then deliver a damning indictment against the Israeli Occupation on the biggest awards season stage in the West? Well played, sir," said another.

Some X users even took to Rabbi Shmuley's post to say they disagreed with his thoughts.

"He used his brilliance, his platform to spit on the disgust of Zionist Israel," one comment reads.

"How mistaken you are! He genuinely honored a noble religion hijacked by a nationalist political movement, Zionism. You should be applauding him for that, but alas, you're still stuck in that "poor us" vortex," a different X user commented.

Another added: "Easily the least safe place on the planet for Jews to exist is Israel. If you want to stop a second holocaust get all the Jews out of the Levant and return the stolen land back to its rightful owners. Thanks."

On Sunday, a gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic about a mile from the venue for the 96th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

"Who's Street? Our street. Shut it down," protesters chanted. Other chants included phrases such as "We are the intifada. We are the revolution," and "Biden, Biden you're a liar, we demand a cease-fire."

Several groups, including Film Workers for Palestine, Not in Our Name and Jewish Voice for Peace participated in the rally.