This week, Wallace Shawn, the versatile actor renowned for his roles in films such as "The Princess Bride" and "Clueless," drew a chilling parallel between the Israeli treatment of Gaza and the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany during an appearance on the "Katie Halper Show." Shawn, who identifies as Jewish, boldly asserted that Israel is "perpetrating evils on a par with those of the Nazis," a statement that has elicited a wave of indignation within the Jewish community, albeit not astonishment given his history of expressing controversial viewpoints.
Addressing the Nazi analogy, Shawn argued passionately, "In some respects, it's even more pernicious because there's an element of bragging involved. Hitler had the decency, or lack thereof, to attempt to cloak his actions in secrecy. For whatever reason, he sought to conceal his mistreatment of the Jews. Conversely, the Israelis seem almost proud of their actions, and this demonic evil is palpable. Anyone who fails to acknowledge its malevolence is, perhaps, beyond reasoning with. Such a perspective might stem from a temporary lapse in sanity."
Elsewhere during the episode, Shawn delved into the evolution of his leftist political beliefs, confessing that he initially grappled with self-loathing upon realizing that "I was an integral part of the unfolding drama, one of the privileged individuals benefiting from the existing order on this planet." Since then, he clarified, while his disdain for the established system remains steadfast, "I no longer harbor hatred towards anyone."
He further mused, "It's conceivable that some Israelis who currently support their country's actions in Gaza or the West Bank might awaken a decade hence and wonder, 'Why did I justify such things?'"
Following his segment on the Nazis, Shawn emphasized, "Undoubtedly, [Israelis] must be acutely aware, consciously or unconsciously, that their actions are daily fueling this hatred. The magnitude of this hatred is beyond our comprehension."
Shawn, celebrated for his numerous roles across film and television, including his voice work in "The Incredibles," the "Toy Story" series, and his television appearances in "Young Sheldon," has long been an outspoken critic of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. This is evident from a 2014 op-ed he penned for "The Hollywood Reporter," where he expressed his concerns regarding the matter.
