Steven Spielberg Speaks Out on Hamas Attacks: USC Shoah Foundation’s Efforts Against Anti-Semitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg has broken his silence on the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, expressing his shock and horror at the “unspeakable barbarity against Jews” in a statement shared by the USC Shoah Foundation, as was recently reported by the Algemeiner.com. Spielberg, who founded the organization in 1994, is now actively involved in the foundation’s initiatives to document and counteract anti-Semitism, including collecting testimonies from survivors of the recent Hamas terror attacks, the report added.

The USC Shoah Foundation, known for its extensive collection of testimonies from Holocaust survivors and witnesses, has taken a bold step by expanding its efforts to include testimonies from survivors of the October 7th Hamas terror attacks in Israel, according to The Algemeiner report. The October 7 massacre, where more than 1,200 Israelis and others were brutally murdered and 240 individuals were kidnapped by the Hamas barbarians prompted the foundation to launch an initiative to document firsthand accounts of the victims and their families, as was indicated in The Algemeiner report.

Recently, the organization conducted an interview with the wife of Israeli filmmaker Yahav Winner, who tragically lost his life in the October 7th attack. The Algemeiner report also said that these testimonies will become an integral part of the USC Shoah Foundation’s “Countering Anti-Semitism Through Testimony: Collection, a project aimed at documenting incidents of anti-Semitism, post-1945.

Steven Spielberg lauded the USC Shoah Foundation for its commitment to countering anti-Semitism and hate through the powerful tool of survivor testimonies. As was noted in The Algemeiner report, the iconic filmmaker and director expressed his support for both initiatives – recording interviews with survivors of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing collection of Holocaust testimonies.

“The team at the USC Shoah Foundation are leading an effort that will ensure that the voices of survivors will act as a powerful tool to counter the dangerous rise of anti-Semitism and hate,” Spielberg stated, as was reported by The Algemeiner. He emphasized the importance of unity and steadfast efforts in preserving history and working toward a world without anti-Semitism or any form of hatred.

The USC Shoah Foundation boasts the world’s largest video collection of Holocaust survivor and witness testimonies, playing a pivotal role in preserving the memories of one of history’s darkest periods. The Algemeiner report added that in collaboration with Tablet Studios, the foundation has recently launched a partnership to collect audio and video testimonies from survivors, family members of victims, and rescuers who played a crucial role during the October 7th attacks.

As the USC Shoah Foundation continues its tireless efforts, backed by Steven Spielberg’s unwavering support, it serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against anti-Semitism. By amplifying the voices of survivors and documenting contemporary incidents, the foundation contributes to a shared vision of a world without hatred and discrimination.

Of the Holocaust, Spielberg said that his parents “talked about it all the time, and so it was always on my mind, “ according to a Wikipedia report.  His father had lost between sixteen and twenty relatives in the Holocaust. Spielberg found it difficult accepting his heritage; he said: “It isn’t something I enjoy admitting … but when I was seven, eight, nine years old, God forgive me, I was embarrassed because we were Orthodox Jews. I was embarrassed by the outward perception of my parents’ Jewish practices. I was never really ashamed to be Jewish, but I was uneasy at times.”