Los Angeles – Israeli-American Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has refused to attend a ceremony in Israel to accept a million-dollar prize because of “distressing” events in the country, the organisers said, announcing the prizegiving had been cancelled.
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Israel has drawn international criticism in recent weeks for lethal tactics used during clashes with Palestinians along the border with Gaza. Thirty-one Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded. Israel says it is doing what it must to defend its border.
In a statement on its website, the foundation that awards the Genesis Prize quoted a representative for Portman as saying: “Recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.”
It gave no further details of her reasons. Portman’s publicist in Los Angeles did not immediately respond to an email seeking further information was not answered.
The foundation said it “admires her humanity, and respects her right to publicly disagree with the policies of the government of Israel”.
“However, we are very saddened that she has decided not to attend the Genesis Prize Ceremony in Jerusalem for political reasons. We fear that Ms. Portman’s decision will cause our philanthropic initiative to be politicised.”
Israel’s minister of culture, Miri Regev, suggested the actress was supporting the “boycott, divestment and sanctions” (BDS) movement, which aims to isolate Israel economically over its treatment of Palestinians. Israel sees the BDS movement as an attempt to delegitimize it.
“I was sorry to hear that Natalie Portman fell like a ripe fruit into the hands of supporters of the BDS,” Regev said.
The Genesis Prize has been awarded since 2014 to individuals for excellence in their professional fields and “who inspire others through their dedication to the Jewish community and Jewish values”.
Previous winners have included former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, sculptor Anish Kapoor, violinist Itzhak Perlman and Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, all of whom donated their prize money to charitable causes.
Portman was born in Jerusalem and moved to the United States at age three.
sounds like she is in Shalom Achshav, j street, yamsar camp.
We are our worst enemy – Seems living in the USA the Nateri Karta got hold of her.
Unfortunately, part of joining the rich Hollywood set, even for Jews, is becoming a Soneh Yisrael and joining the left-wing anti-Semitism of BDS, even if you do not say it openly.
The money and award should be attached to the appearance. Dylan the song writer had to go to the special awards ceremony to received his money and honor that was the stipulation. No body, no money, no award, and I bet there are more deserving people then her who are actually proud to be who they are.
Typical Hollywood elitist
Good for her! Although her intentions r far from G dly, it is still refreshing to hear anything from a Jewish woman against the State of Israel.
The Israelis r confusing Zionism with Judaism. This gantze prize ceremony symbolizes nothing Jewishness but empty Zionism. Good it hit them from a different angle too not only from the “crazed” kanaim.
Ingrate. Her prize should be WITHDRAWN.
Who care what you have to say; just because you are actresses how no weight in the real world
Take it away from her. The only thing Israeli about her is that she was born there. She couldn’t even be bothered to marry a Jew.
Maybe give it to Gal Gadot who is much more deserving AND she defended her country, lives there and is married to a Jew as well. Who knew?!
another nut job
What do you expect from the Hollywood left – besides she is married to a goy – sadly living in Hollywood she forgot what is HOLY –
Perhaps she should live near GAZA for awhile, and she would change her tune.
Being a typical liberal hypocrite, there’s no doubt she took the cash. Another Hollywood legend added to my boycot list