Tovah Feldshuh criticizes Adam Brody's Palestine support, cites Nazi rhetoric

Tovah Feldshuh, the 86‑year‑old actress best known for her role as Rabbi Noah Roklov on Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” publicly rebuked Adam Brody’s call for a “Free Palestine” during a GQ interview last month, saying the accusation that the Jewish people are committing genocide is “right out of Hitler’s playbook.” Feldshuh made the remarks on a live Instagram Q&A on Tuesday, after Brody’s comments sparked a wave of social‑media debate.

The exchange comes amid a heated summer of Israel‑Gaza conflict that began on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, prompting a large‑scale Israeli military response in Gaza. The war has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis, according to the United Nations and Israeli health officials. In the United States, the conflict has divided public opinion and placed Hollywood actors under pressure to take a stand. Brody, who appeared on the GQ cover in June, said he supports a “Free Palestine” and urged an end to the violence, a stance that many pro‑Israel groups have labeled as anti‑Jewish.

Feldshuh, who has played a rabbi on the show, said she had avoided public commentary until now because the topic “comes up a lot” for her. She argued that equating Israel’s actions with genocide misrepresents history and fuels anti‑Semitic rhetoric. “When you say the Jewish people are committing genocide, you are using language that Hitler used to justify the Holocaust,” she said. Brody responded on Twitter, apologizing if his words caused pain and reaffirming his support for civilian lives on both sides. Several Jewish advocacy groups, including the Anti‑Defamation League, welcomed Feldshuh’s remarks, while free‑speech organizations warned against chilling debate.

The controversy is likely to keep Hollywood in the crosshairs as more actors and studios navigate the fraught political terrain. Industry insiders say studios may weigh the risk of alienating either side when casting or marketing projects. Feldshuh’s statement could embolden other Jewish performers to speak out, while Brody’s apology may signal a cautious retreat for some colleagues. As the war drags on, the entertainment world will watch closely how public figures balance personal convictions with the potential fallout of their words.