Confusion, or Worse, in Hollywood

We don't know if she loves herself, is a self-hating Jew, or a Jew-hating Jew. But we do know at least wo things about this award-winning film director (and probably many of her admirers) when she states

As a Jewish-American artist working in a time-based medium, I must note I'm accepting this award on the 336th day of Israel's genocide in Gaza and 76th year of occupation. I believe it our responsibility as film workers to use the institutional platforms through which we work to address Israel's impunity on the global stage. I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle for liberation.

She’s not a “self-hating Jew”. She loves herself. She’s a “Jew-hating Jew”. https://t.co/5Q2KIexLC6

— William A. Jacobson (@wajacobson) September 8, 2024

One thing is clear is that Sarah Friedland is ignorant. To be Jewish is to be affiliated with a religion. Judaism is composed of Jews, and Judaism is a religion and not a national origin. There no more are Jewish-Americans than there are Muslim-Americans, Catholic-Americans, or Protestant-Americans. There are American Muslims, American Catholics, American Protestants..... and American Jews.

Equally clear is that Ms. Friedland does not believe Israel should exist, at least not as a Jewish state. The United Nations on 11-29-48 declared the end of the British Mandate and called on the parties to establish an independent state in Palestine. Thus, at midnight on May14/15, 1948- 76 years ago- the State of Israel was proclaimed.  Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq immediately launched hostilities against the new nation but were pummeled.

Yet, according to Ms. Friedland, the very existence of the State of Israel, sitting upon approximately .1% of the land in the Middle East, constitutes occupation. 

But this goes beyond one seriously misguided and information-challenged film worker. Reportedly, "the Venice awards ceremony had a political edge on Saturday evening as multiple winners used their acceptance speeches to express sympathy for the Palestinian people and condemn Israel's military campaign in Gaza."

Well, no, they did not "express sympathy for the Palestinian people."  A Ph.D. in history is not necessary to understand that Israel sits on land traditionally known as "Palestine" and that Jews have lived on that land for millennia, in "Ottoman-controlled Palestine, the original home of the Jews." And no one needs a Ph.D. in political science or geography to know that there are Muslims considered "Palestinian" throughout the Middle East, including in Jordan, where they constitute roughly half the population.

Of course, the speakers did not speak up for those Palestinians. They have been disappeared by activists, who have no regard for Muslims, Arab or Persian, outside of Gaza or perhaps the West Bank. They cannot be concerned with them because the target of the ire is Israel, and Israel alone. 

The speakers were applauded and there is no indication any was booed. The hostility to the Jewish state is widespread but concentrated in Hollywood. There is a reason for that and it has become increasingly clear that it is encapsulated in the adjective in the sentence immediately preceding this one.

Share |