Rabbi Who Consulted on Adam Brody's Netflix Show Criticizes Actor's Gaza Remarks

Rabbi Steve Leder, who served as a consultant on the Netflix show "Nobody Wants This," has criticized actor Adam Brody for his recent comments describing the situation in Gaza as a "genocide." Brody, who stars as a rabbi in the series, made the remarks in a recent interview with GQ, stating, "Put me down as thinking it's a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine."

Leder, a Los Angeles-based rabbi, expressed his strong disagreement with Brody's characterization, posting a video to Instagram to address the actor's statements. "The flippancy was adding insult to injury, in my opinion, and needed to be addressed," Leder told Fox News Digital. "That is a word and that is a geopolitical situation that warrants anything but flippancy."

In his critique, Leder emphasized the specific definition of genocide as outlined by the United Nations, which involves acts carried out with the intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part. Leder argued that Israel's conflict is with Hamas and not with a specific group that would fit this definition. "Israel's war is against Hamas. It is not against a nationality, it is not against an ethnicity, it is not a race, it is not against a religion," Leder stated.

Leder's primary concern was Brody presenting his opinion as fact. "This is where I felt that Adam Brody went terribly wrong. He presented an opinion as a fact. And that is a mistake for any of us who are in the public eye," the rabbi said.

Leder noted that Brody's role as a rabbi on "Nobody Wants This," a show that loosely bases its narrative on the relationship between an agnostic woman and a rabbi, added a layer of complexity to the situation. He explained that when a public figure, especially one perceived as an authority due to their role, makes such statements, it can be "doubly heartbreaking."

Brody is among several public figures who have used the term "genocide" to describe Israel's actions in Gaza. Leder commented that while public figures are free to express their opinions, they should acknowledge them as opinions rather than facts, especially when discussing complex geopolitical issues.

"If you know nothing about something, you should say nothing," Leder advised, suggesting that individuals, particularly those in the public eye, should refrain from making pronouncements on subjects about which they lack deep understanding. He felt compelled to respond due to his involvement in ensuring accurate Jewish representation in "Nobody Wants This."