Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes condemns Israeli actions in Gaza, calling on Jewish people to "scream for a ceasefire"

British-Australian actress and activist Miriam Margolyes, known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter franchise, has issued a heartfelt appeal to Jewish communities worldwide, urging them to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In a video released by the Jewish Council of Australia, Margolyes passionately stated, "To me, it seems as if Hitler has won. He’s changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring into this vicious, genocidal nationalist nation, pursuing and killing women and children." The veteran actress condemned both Hamas' actions and Israel's military response, emphasizing the urgent need to halt the bloodshed.

The actress's plea comes amid a contentious debate within the Jewish community regarding Israel's military policies. Director Jonathan Glazer sparked controversy at the Oscars when he commented, “We stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people” in Gaza and Israel.

For more information about Jonathan Glazer's statement at the Oscars, check out our article here

However, Margolyes did not address Glazer's comments. Margolyes' call for peace aligns with other prominent figures, including Angels in America writer Tony Kushner, who likened Israel's actions to "ethnic cleansing."

The indomitable Miriam Margolyes OBE has a message in support of the Jewish Council! She calls for all of us Jews to “shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire” pic.twitter.com/UgwRSusq84

— Jewish Council of Australia (@jewishcouncilAU) April 5, 2024

In her message, Margolyes affirmed, "It is not anti-Semitic to have a different opinion on the wartime actions. Now we have to do the right thing; the right thing is a ceasefire to stop the killing, certainly to beg and insist on the release of hostages."

The full statement reads: 

"Hello, I’m Miriam Margolyes, and I wanted to say something in support of the Jewish Council of Australia. I’m an Australian citizen. I’m 83 and I have never been so ashamed of Israel as I am at this moment. To me, it seems as if Hitler has won.

He’s changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and do unto others as you would have them do unto you into this vicious genocidal nationalist nation, pursuing and killing women and children.

Of course, I condemn the Hamas action, of course I do. But what we are doing, Jewish people over in Israel, is shocking, embarrassing and wicked and I cannot understand why all Jewish people, particularly members of synagogues, do not want immediately to stop what is going on.

And in the name of humanity, I call upon all Jews to shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire.

It is not antisemitic to have a different opinion on the wartime actions now. We have to do, as my mother used to say, the right thing; the right thing is a ceasefire to stop the killing, certainly to beg and insist on the release of hostages. But there is an opinion about Israel’s actions, which it is not antisemitic to voice. What Israel is doing is wrong, it is wicked.

And, if you want to say this, is very bad for Israel. Please call on your rabbis, on your communities, on all the people you know. Voice your disgust and detestation of the Israeli actions. Please. You are then doing the right thing and behaving in accordance to the Jewish tradition.

Thank you."