Actress Natalie Portman recently released a new film, but the media focus wasn’t on her latest cinematic effort. Instead, it was on statements the Israeli-American actress has made about Israel.
In an interview with BBC’s Arabic language channel, Portman denounced Israel’s nation-state law as “racist” and a “mistake.”
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The interview was supposed to be about her new film, “Vox Lux,” but Portman spoke instead of how she hoped she could help improve Israel’s relationship with its neighbors, especially after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu passed the controversial nation-state law. The law states that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and Hebrew is the country’s sole official language.
Portman, who was born in Israel but moved to the U.S. when she was young, has spoken out against laws in Israel before. Earlier this year she announced “she would not come to Israel to accept the Genesis Prize (a $1 million award given annually to Jewish people who have attained recognition and excellence in their fields),” Haaretz reported.
“I am deeply touched and humbled by this honor,” Portman said in a statement in November, CNN reported “I am proud of my Israeli roots and Jewish heritage; they are crucial parts of who I am. It is such a privilege to be counted among the outstanding laureates whom I admire so much.”
Here’s how Portman’s representative explained why Portman turned down the invitation: “Recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.”
Because of her statements, some in the Jewish community have called Portman a “self-hating Jew,” but she has been firm in her stance. In 2009, she and other Hollywood celebrities protested a boycott of the Toronto International Film Festival because it hosted a Tel Aviv-themed event.
Portman has also said that she does not support the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement. “I am not part of the BDS movement and do not endorse it. Like many Israelis and Jews around the world, I can be critical of the leadership in Israel without wanting to boycott the entire nation.” Portman said, adding that she cherishes “Israeli friends and family, Israeli food, books, art, cinema and dance.”
Portman has always been critical of Netanyahu, telling The Hollywood Reporter in a 2015 interview, “I’m very much against Netanyahu. Against. I am very, very upset and disappointed that he was re-elected.”
I know this is difficult to believe, but you can disagree with Israel’s policies and actions, even vehemently, yet still not be an anti-Semite. See Natalie Portman as an example.
— Jeff Martin (@Jeff_A_Martin) January 6, 2019
