Rabbi Steve Leder condemns Adam Brody’s Gaza genocide claim

Rabbi Steve Leder used an Instagram video on October 1‑2, 2026 to denounce actor Adam Brody for calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide, describing the comment as “truly shocking,” “flippant” and “disgusting.”

Leder, the former senior rabbi of Los Angeles’s Wilshire Boulevard Temple and a consultant on the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This,” said there is no genocide in Gaza and warned that the word should not be used without a proper understanding of its meaning.

“If you’re going to use a word like genocide, you ought to know what it means,” Leder said in the video.

Brody made the remarks in a GQ interview, stating he believes Israel’s actions constitute genocide and that he supports a free Palestine. The actor also highlighted how recent crises, including the Gaza war, have revealed differing beliefs among his Hollywood peers.

The dispute reflects a broader controversy over the use of the term “genocide” in the Israel‑Gaza conflict. While United Nations inquiries and several human‑rights groups have concluded that Israel’s conduct meets the definition, the International Court of Justice has not yet issued a final ruling on South Africa’s genocide case, and Israel continues to reject the accusation.

Brody’s involvement with “Nobody Wants This” adds another layer to the debate. The show’s creator, Erin Foster, who converted to Judaism at Leder’s synagogue, said the series deliberately avoids mentioning Israel or Palestine to keep the focus on its central story. Leder’s criticism therefore not only targets Brody’s statement but also underscores the tension between entertainment figures speaking on geopolitics and religious community leaders advocating for precise language.

Both parties remain active on social media, and the conversation is expected to continue as the conflict persists and public figures weigh in on the terminology surrounding it.