Seth Rogen Reflects on His Jewish Upbringing and Views on Israel

A five-year-old podcast clip featuring actor Seth Rogen has resurfaced amid recent geopolitical tensions involving Israel. Originally aired on July 27, 2020, during his appearance on WTF with Marc Maron, the clip shows Rogen reflecting on his Jewish upbringing and education, expressing that he would ‘never live in Israel.’ He criticized the way Israeli history was presented in his childhood, suggesting it omitted Palestinian perspectives and made it seem as if the land was empty. Rogen also described himself as non-religious but proud of his Jewish identity, emphasizing cultural connection rather than faith. Born in Vancouver to a family with Ashkenazi roots, Rogen’s parents were left-leaning socialists who met in Israel, influencing his upbringing. While his remarks drew criticism from some Jewish organizations for oversimplifying complex history, Rogen later clarified that he supports Israel’s right to exist and that his critique was aimed at educational narratives, not Jewish identity itself. The resurfacing of the clip coincides with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and has sparked renewed discussion online. Despite the attention, Rogen continues to focus on his film and television projects, philanthropy, and advocacy work, including Alzheimer’s research and cannabis reform.