Rabbi Criticizes Adam Brody Over Gaza «Genocide» Remarks
Rabbi Steve Leder, a former consultant on Netflix's «Nobody Wants This», publicly rebuked star Adam Brody for calling the war in Gaza a genocide, calling his comments ignorant and flippant.
Rabbi Steve Leder, who served as a technical adviser on the first season of the Netflix series «Nobody Wants This», has publicly criticized the show's star, Adam Brody, for describing the war in Gaza as a genocide and expressing support for a free Palestine. In an Instagram video posted this week, Leder took aim at Brody's understanding of the conflict, saying the actor's ignorance had been on full display.
«You, by your own admission, are a relatively ignorant Jew, and your ignorance really showed the other day», Leder said in the video, addressing Brody directly. He added that Brody had misused and mischaracterized the term genocide, and that his casual use of the word was «disgusting». Leder also noted that there are genocides occurring in other countries that Brody failed to mention.
The dispute stems from an interview Brody gave to GQ magazine on September 25, in which he discussed his political advocacy and canvassing work for the progressive organization Swing Left. Asked whether he wanted to speak publicly about Gaza, Brody responded: «Put me down as thinking it's a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine.» He also expressed hope that a future US administration would change policies he believed were contributing to the suffering in the region.
Leder's connection to Brody goes beyond his role as a viewer. As a technical adviser on season one, Leder helped ensure the actor's portrayal of Noah Roklov, a rabbi, and the show's depiction of Judaism were authentic. His latest assessment was considerably less approving. In his video, Leder said he had reached out to Brody not as a critic but as someone who had worked to make the actor's performance credible. «My job was to make sure that your character was authentic and that everything in Season 1 about Judaism was authentic», Leder said. «Your pronouncement the other day about a ‘genocide in Gaza' was truly shocking.»
The public disagreement comes as Netflix prepares to release the third season of «Nobody Wants This». The series, which follows the relationship between a rabbi and a non-Jewish woman, has drawn both praise and criticism for its portrayal of Jewish life and interfaith relationships.
Brody's comments have also drawn condemnation from other Jewish figures. Rabbi Yaakov Menken, executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, called Brody «ignorant» for calling Israel's actions in Gaza «genocide». «One of the hallmarks of antisemitism is to irrationally regard Jews as a threat», Menken said. «While Hamas was holding, torturing, raping and murdering hostages, only a bigot would call the effort to free those hostages ‘genocide.'» He added that an ignorant Jew is no less likely than anyone else to fall prey to hateful indoctrination.
The Israeli-American Council also expressed «revulsion at the ignorant and harmful statement» made by Brody, warning that such lies «incite violence that can lead to the murder of innocent Jews». The organization pointed to a recent incident in which Israeli passengers narrowly escaped death.
Brody, 46, has not publicly responded to the criticism. Fox News Digital reached out to his representatives for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The actor, who has previously been outspoken on progressive causes, has not backed away from his remarks.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions within the entertainment industry and the Jewish community over how to discuss the war in Gaza. It also raises questions about the role of celebrities in political discourse and the responsibility that comes with using charged terms like «genocide». For a series that has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of Judaism, the off-screen controversy adds a layer of complexity to its public reception.
As Netflix prepares for the show's third season, the debate sparked by Brody's comments is unlikely to fade quickly. The exchange between the actor and the rabbi who once helped him portray a man of faith underscores the deep divisions that continue to shape conversations about the conflict.
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