Actor Susan Sarandon released an apology for controversial remarks made at a pro-Palestine rally in New York. During the rally on Nov. 17, she shared, “There are a lot of people that are afraid, that are afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence.” Subsequently, UTA dropped Sarandon as a client due to these comments.
In her Instagram post on Friday, Sarandon expressed regret, stating, “It was my intent to show solidarity in the struggle against bigotry of all kinds, and I am sorry I failed to do so.” She further explained, “Recently, I attended a rally alongside a diverse group of activists seeking to highlight the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a ceasefire. I had not planned to speak but was invited to take the stage and say a few words.”
Sarandon continued her statement by acknowledging her mistake, “Intending to communicate my concern for an increase in hate crimes, I said that Jewish Americans, as the targets of rising antisemitic hate, ‘are getting a taste of what it is like to be Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence.’ This phrasing was a terrible mistake, as it implies that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true.” She expressed deep regret for this and emphasized her commitment to peace and compassion for all people, acknowledging the need to engage in dialogue with those with differing views.
The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has also caused controversy in Hollywood, with CAA agent Maha Dakhil resigning from the agency’s internal board after calling Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks “genocide,” for which she later apologized. Similarly, Melissa Barrera’s social-media posts about Israel’s military assault on Gaza led to her termination from “Scream 7” by Spyglass Media Group. In her response, Barrera vowed to continue advocating for peace and human rights, stating, “Silence is not an option for me.”
These recent events have sparked deep divisions within Hollywood, exemplifying the challenging discussions around the Israel-Palestine conflict.
To read Sarandon’s full Instagram post, visit the link below:
