Natalie Portman Sparks Outrage in Israel
by EG
Thor: The Dark World star Natalie Portman is refusing to travel to Israel to accept a prestigious Israeli award, citing her disapproval of some of Israel's recent actions in the region. Her protest has sparked outrage in some circles and led to calls for Israel to revoke her citizenship. Portman was born in Jerusalem.
Via Page Six.
Natalie Portman will not travel to Israel to accept the “Jewish Nobel,” citing “recent events” in the country, it was revealed Thursday.
Portman, who was born in Jerusalem, was scheduled to attend a ceremony there in June and receive the Genesis Prize — which has been called the “Jewish Nobel” by Time Magazine.
The Genesis organization said Thursday that the Academy Award-winner said “recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.”
Therefore, “she cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony.”
Portman did not specify a reason, but the decision takes place weeks after nine people were killed in Gaza as Palestinian protesters took live fire from Israeli Defense Forces.
Portman was announced as the 2018 Genesis Prize Laureate in November, and she committed to “re-gift” the $1 million in prize money to advance women’s equality, the organization said in a statement.
The Genesis Prize Foundation lamented her decision to cancel the trip and said the whole ceremony would be canceled.
Get the rest of the story at Page Six.
Do you think Natalie should go to Israel to accept the award? Speak up in the comments below.