Natalie Portman declares that she is disturbed by “recent events in Israel”
What recent events? Does she even know what is going on in Israel or did someone tell her that “recent events” were bad?
Most Israelis assumed that by recent events she meant Israeli self-defense re attacks on our border with Gaza. The resulting backlash against Portman was inevitable. Anyone who understands what is happening in Israel would know that.
Now it seems some PR person suggested she dial back her anti-Israel stance by converting it into an anti-Netanyahu stance. This too shows lack of understanding of Israeli reality.
Netanyahu is the democratically elected Prime Minister. The majority of the population chose him. All opinions, polls, including his detractors, say that he will be re-elected the next time around too – despite all the investigations – because the people of Israel see him as the most suitable candidate for the job. Many say that he is the ONLY candidate who can do the job.
It seems she is getting some very poor PR advice.
- natalieportmanMy decision not to attend the Genesis Prize ceremony has been mischaracterized by others. Let me speak for myself. I chose not to attend because I did not want to appear as endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu, who was to be giving a speech at the ceremony. By the same token, 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. I treasure my Israeli friends and family, Israeli food, books, art, cinema, and dance. Israel was created exactly 70 years ago as a haven for refugees from the Holocaust. But the mistreatment of those suffering from today’s atrocities is simply not in line with my Jewish values. Because I care about Israel, I must stand up against violence, corruption, inequality, and abuse of power.
Please do not take any words that do not come directly from me as my own.
This experience has inspired me to support a number of charities in Israel. I will be announcing them soon, and I hope others will join me in supporting the great work they are doing.