American director Steven Spielberg spoke about the Gaza war for the first time since its onset, as his previously pro-Israel stance shifted to a criticism of the killing of children in Gaza, with the Jewish actor discussing the rise of anti-Semitism. The 77-year-old director addressed the war in Gaza during a speech at a tribute event for the USC Shoah Foundation, a nonprofit organization he founded that documents interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust during Nazi Germany.
In a speech lasting over nine minutes, during which he discussed anti-Semitism and the Nazi holocaust, he also explicitly and directly referred to the Gaza war, marking a clear change in the stance of a director known for his strong support of Israel in Hollywood. Spielberg expressed that he could be outraged by what he termed "the heinous acts committed by terrorists," referring to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, and added: "We also condemn the killing of innocent women and children in Gaza."
He spoke about the "repetition of past mistakes," stating: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. I am increasingly concerned that we may be condemned to repeat history, and that we may once again have to struggle for the right to be Jewish." He added that "the echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate," referring to the Israeli war on Gaza, which he stated has led to "the rise of extremist views and the creation of a dangerous environment."
He considered that "extreme bigotry leads society not to celebrate differences but instead conspire to demonize those who are different or 'the other'." This part of his speech came during his commemorative remarks about the work of his foundation that documents the Nazi Holocaust against Jews during World War II. This statement regarding Gaza is Spielberg's first, as he had refrained from mentioning it over the past six months while showing his support for Israel.
