Renowned actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a 12-minute video on March 6 urging those who espouse antisemitism and other forms of hate to renounce their “horrible loser ideology” and take control of their own lives instead.
In the video, Schwarzenegger recounted his recent visit to Auschwitz and suggested that such a visit will make one realize that fighting against hate and prejudice is a lifelong battle to ensure that the Holocaust never happens again. That’s why he urged people to reject “the path of hate,” recounting how his father, who was a Nazi soldier, and other men he knew growing up in Austria “drank to numb their pain.” The pain wasn’t just from the war injuries, but also because they were guilt-ridden for being suckered into “a horrible, loser ideology.”
The “Terminator” star warned those who believe in antisemitism and hate that while it’s easier to scapegoat others for their problems, they won’t “find fulfillment and happiness.” “It’s the path of the weak,” he later added. “It breaks you.” Schwarzenegger also pointed out that “there has never been a successful movement based on hate.” “Nazis? Losers,” Schwarzenegger said. “The Confederacy? Losers. The Apartheid movement? Losers. I don’t want you to be a loser. I don’t want you to be weak.”
Instead, Schwarzenegger encouraged those who believe in antisemitism and hate to “pull yourself away from that anger and that hate, eventually you will start to feel empowered.”
“Choose strength,” he said at the end of the video. “Choose life. Conquer your mind. You can do it.”
This is my message to anyone who has chosen the path of hate. Please listen. pic.twitter.com/P0VCDqPeb6
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 6, 2023
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt tweeted that his video was “moving” and that “his message about the strength that comes when a person chooses to turn from the path of hate is indelible.”
Arnold @Schwarzenegger tells a moving story about his recent visit to @AuschwitzMuseum. His message about the strength that comes when a person chooses to turn from the path of hate is indelible. https://t.co/QfmGlVJWts
— Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt (@StateSEAS) March 7, 2023
Jewish groups thanked Schwarzenegger for his message.
“Thanks @Schwarzenegger for your resounding, robust condemnation of #antisemitism and for your unflinching support of your allies and friends in the Jewish community,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted.
Thanks @Schwarzenegger for your resounding, robust condemnation of #antisemitism and for your unflinching support of your allies and friends in the Jewish community. https://t.co/rAOlIuxR9E
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) March 7, 2023
The Simon Wiesenthal Center Founder and Dean Rabbi Marvin Hier and Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda Rabbi Abraham Cooper also thanked Schwarzenegger in a tweet.
Rabbi Marvin Hier + Rabbi Abraham Cooper thank longtime supporter/SWC friend Arnold @Schwarzenegger for his latest video, inspired as a result of a visit to #Auschwitz, where he talks directly to young people who are influenced + impacted by online bigotry, hate + #Antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/XBfHQbWxDH
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) March 8, 2023
StandWithUs CEO and Co-Founder Roz Rothstein, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, noted in a tweet that Schwarzenegger’s video has already garnered millions of views. “Let’s hope this makes a difference,” she wrote. “Thank you Arnold.”
Posted on March 6th and already has 4.9 million views. Let's hope this makes a difference.
Thank you Arnold @Schwarzenegger https://t.co/DUV90uEmny— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) March 10, 2023
