Actor Mandy Patinkin Criticizes Israel Gaza Actions, Cites Jewish Impact

Actor Mandy Patinkin has publicly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, drawing parallels between its policies and the revenge-driven character Inigo Montoya from "The Princess Bride." In interviews, Patinkin and his wife Kathryn Grody condemned the ongoing war and called for compassion toward civilians in Gaza, asserting that Netanyahu's government endangers Jews worldwide. Patinkin urged Jews globally to reflect on whether such actions against Gaza's civilians are acceptable, emphasizing the moral contradiction in inflicting suffering similar to what Jews have historically endured. These statements have drawn sharp backlash from critics who argue Patinkin overlooks the existential threat Israel faces from Hamas, accusing him of lacking nuance and expertise in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Grody also criticized the use of antisemitism claims to silence policy criticism, highlighting that opposing Netanyahu's policies does not equate to self-hatred or antisemitism. The controversy highlights deep divisions within Jewish communities and public discourse over the Israel-Gaza conflict and the responsibilities of public figures commenting on it.