Steven Spielberg denounces ‘extreme’ anti-Semitism ravaging American college campuses in first comments about Israel-Hamas war

Steven Spielberg denounced the “extreme” anti-Semitism plaguing American college campuses in his first comments on the war between Israel and Hamas.

At an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Shoah Foundation, an organization dedicated to Holocaust education and founded by Spielberg, the film director addressed a room at the University of Southern California.

at the event On Monday, attended by more than thirty Holocaust survivors, Spielberg said:Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”

“I am increasingly concerned that we may be condemned to repeat history – to have to fight again for the right to be Jewish,” he said in a video of the speech released by Deadline.

He denounced extremism on college campuses and the idea of ​​“The Other,” which “poisons discourse,” creates a “dangerous wedge in our communities” and “leads to anti-Semitism.”

At an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Shoah Foundation at USC, Spielberg addressed an audience of more than 30 Holocaust survivors on Monday. Spielberg said: ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’

He denounced extremism on college campuses and the idea of ​​”The Other” that “poisons discourse” and “creates a wedge in communities”

‘The 56,000 testimonies we have recorded are invaluable as we teach new generations what survivors have been saying for 80 years. Never again,” he said.

“But when you listen to it, the echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate. The rise of extremist views has created a dangerous environment, and radical bigotry means that a society no longer celebrates differences, but instead conspires to demonize those who are different, to the point of creating ‘the Other’.”

“Otherness rationalizes prejudice and encourages the deliberate denial and distortion of reality to reinforce prejudice,” he said. ‘Otherness’ is the kindling that fuels extremism and illiberalism.’

“Every day we see the machinery of extremism being used on college campuses… where now more than 50 percent of students say they have experienced some discrimination because they are Jewish,” Spielberg said.

Spielberg condemned the dangerous rise of extremist ideologies and warned of the consequences of radical bigotry that demonizes those seen as different.

‘This happens alongside anti-Muslim, Arab and Sikh discrimination. The creation of ‘the Other’ and the dehumanization of ANY GROUP based on their differences is the basis of fascism. It is an old playbook that has been dusted off and is now widely distributed.’

Spielberg condemned the dangerous rise of extremist ideologies and warned of the consequences of radical bigotry and history repeating itself

He condemned both the violent actions of terrorists and the tragic loss of innocent lives, including women and children, in Gaza.

“We can rage against the heinous acts committed by the October 7 terrorists and also condemn the murder of innocent women and children in Gaza.”

Spielberg emphasized the importance of remembering history to prevent its recurrence. He highlighted the alarming prospect that we will once again have to defend the fundamental right to be Jewish.

“Despite cruelty and persecution, we have always been a resilient and compassionate people who understand the power of empathy,” Spielberg continued.

“This is critical in the wake of the horrific October 7 massacre. It is critical to ending political violence caused by misinformation, conspiracy theories and ignorance.

“It is critical because stopping the rise of anti-Semitism and hatred of all kinds is critical to the health of our democratic republic and the future of democracy throughout the civilized world.”