Tovah Feldshuh has defended Israel and criticized genocide accusations in a new interview, following her Nobody Wants This costar Adam Brody’s public comments about Gaza.
The 77-year-old actress discussed antisemitism and the influence of celebrities in remarks published by the New York Post on October 25. She did not name Brody in the quoted exchange.
Brody’s September interview concerned Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Feldshuh framed her remarks around accusations against Jewish people collectively.
Feldshuh plays Bina Roklov, the mother of Brody’s Rabbi Noah Roklov, in the romantic comedy. Its third season premiered October 22 on Netflix.
Feldshuh Calls Genocide Accusations ‘Wild’ and Invokes Hitler
“To accuse the Jewish people of genocide is wild,” Feldshuh said, calling it “right out of Hitler’s playbook.”
She spoke with Jonathan Harounoff, host of UNscripted and a former international spokesperson for Israel at the United Nations. Asked whether accusations carry a different weight when made by Jewish public figures, she said they affect the Jewish community.
Feldshuh argued that influential people can cause harm by spreading claims she regards as false. She also described Israel’s continued existence as essential to the democratic world and said the United States and Israel need each other.
Brody Called for a Free Palestine in His GQ Interview
Brody, 46, discussed political activism with journalist Savannah Sobrevilla in a GQ interview published September 25. The conversation turned to Israel and Gaza after he mentioned political divisions in Hollywood.
When Sobrevilla invited him to elaborate, he replied: “Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine.”
He expressed distress at the deaths and suffering and hoped a future U.S. administration would change policies he believed were contributing to the situation.
The interview followed a canvassing trip to Temecula, California. Brody has volunteered with progressive organizing group Swing Left since 2018 and reported hearing voters’ concerns about rising prices and civil liberties during the visit.
He also explained that his politics seldom appear in entertainment interviews because most questions concern his acting work, adding that he answers political questions when asked.
Feldshuh Says She Speaks With Brody Privately
Feldshuh had addressed criticism of her costar before the Post interview appeared. According to Hey Alma, she responded beneath an October 21 Instagram Reel from creator Lindsay Pinchuk, who had criticized others associated with the series for not publicly responding to Brody.
“Adam Brody is a beloved colleague and I am speaking to him privately,” Feldshuh wrote. She also pointed to her public advocacy against antisemitism.
In her conversation with Harounoff, Feldshuh said political disagreements rarely come up on set. Her approach is “to switch channels and do my job,” she explained, describing kindness toward colleagues as part of her responsibility at work.
Erin Foster Says She Disagrees With Brody but Still Loves Him
Series creator Erin Foster discussed Brody’s interview with Amanda Hirsch for Not Skinny But Not Fat. In a preview published by Entertainment Weekly on October 22, Foster compared the set to family dinner tables where people debate and disagree.
“While I love Adam, I also disagree with him,” she said. “And that’s okay.”
Foster described the show as “a love letter to Judaism” and said she wanted Jewish viewers to feel represented and understood. She spoke about how meaningful becoming Jewish had been for her, while acknowledging that others were entitled to different opinions.
Foster converted before marrying music executive Simon Tikhman. Their relationship helped inspire the series, which follows Noah’s romance with agnostic podcaster Joanne, played by Kristen Bell.