Actress Miriam Margolyes has called on Jewish people worldwide to “shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire” in Gaza, expressing deep shame over Israel’s actions. In a video released by the Jewish Council of Australia, the 82-year-old said she felt “as if Hitler has won”, accusing Israel of becoming a “vicious, genocidal nationalist nation”.
Margolyes, known for roles in Harry Potter and The Age of Innocence, condemned Hamas’s 7 October attacks that killed around 1,139 people and took 250 hostages. However, she argued that Israel’s retaliation, which has killed over 33,000 Palestinians according to Gaza’s health ministry, is “shocking, embarrassing and wicked”. She urged Jews to demand an end to the violence and the release of hostages.
The actress’s comments echo those of director Jonathan Glazer, who faced backlash after saying at the Oscars that Jewishness was being “hijacked” by the occupation. Over 150 Jewish Hollywood figures later defended Glazer, warning that attacks on him distract from Israel’s military campaign. Playwright Tony Kushner also backed Glazer, describing Israel’s policy as “ethnic cleansing”.
Margolyes stressed that criticising Israel’s actions is not antisemitic, and called on rabbis and communities to speak out. “What Israel is doing is wrong, it is wicked,” she said, urging Jews to do “the right thing” and insist on a ceasefire.
