Natalie Portman Refuses To Travel To Israel To Attend Jewish Noble Prize Ceremony Over Recent Distressing Political Events

By Samantha in News On 22nd April 2018
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#1 Natalie Portman Selected For The Upcoming Genesis Prize Money

The ever so graceful star Natalie Portman won a prestigious Israeli award for her achievements. The award ceremony also dubbed as Jewish Nobel prize ceremony. The prize is awarded to those extraordinary individuals who through their work achievements serve as an inspiration for the next Jewish generation. Previous recipients of this award include former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, violinist Itzhak Perlman and sculptor Anish Kapoor.

#2 Portman Has Refused To Attend The Ceremony, Following Distressing Political Leadership By Israeli Government

The award ceremony was to be held on June 28, but following the refusal of American Jewish actress, the award ceremony has been reportedly postponed. The actress said that following the recent political events have been distressing for her. She is not comfortable in attending any event in Israel following the severe criticism and backlash Israel is facing for firing over unarmed Palestinians in Gaza strip.

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#3 Portman Says She Is Not Comfortable In Participating In Any Public Events In Israel

Portman who was born in Israel and holds dual Jewish and US citizenship earlier in 2018 announced that she is proud of her Israeli roots and Jewish heritage. However, the actress's representative said that "recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel".

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#4 Portman Is Criticised By Israeli Minister Of Culture And Sports

Portman's decision to boycott from the ceremony drew criticism from a number of people including Israeli minister of culture and sports, Miri Regev who claimed that Portman has fallen victim in the hands of BDS movement. The statement read, "I was saddened to hear that Natalie Portman has fallen as a ripe fruit in the hands of BDS supporters," Regev said, associating the actress' act with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement that protests Israel over its treatment of Palestinians and the West Bank.

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#5 Portman Syas Israel's Current Political Actions Do not Stand In Line With Her Jewish Believes And Values

However, in order to get rid of any sort of misunderstanding, Portman took to her Instagram account to make her point clear and to point out that she is not endorsing any movement but being a Jew, like many other Jews she can be critical of Israel's political leadership under which many inhumane atrocities are being carried out, which do not stand with her Jewish values and if necessary she will raise her voice against any sort of injustice and violence.

Portman said that her statement has been 'mischaracterized by others,' "I chose not to attend because I did not want to appear as endorsing [Israeli Prime Minister] 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," she wrote in the statement. The actress continued by saying that she treasures her, "Israeli friends and family, Israeli food, books, art, cinema, and dance, but noted that the mistreatment of those suffering from “today’s atrocities” were not in line with her Jewish values." "Because I care about Israel, I must stand up against violence, corruption, inequality, and abuse of power"

#6 Kudos To The Actress For Her Bravery In Speaking Up Against The Violent Killing Of Innocent Palestinians

Israel has been under criticism for long for its response to mass protests on the Gaza Israel border which has killed and seriously wounded hundreds of innocent unarmed Palestinians. It appears so, Portman's decision to not attend the ceremony and raising her voice against injustice and violence falls in line with the mission of the award, giving out an important message to the young Jewish generation. Kudos to the actress for speaking out!