Thelma & Louise star Susan Sarandon issues apology for anti-Jewish remarks during rally

Susan Sarandon issued an apology for saying that, Jews "are getting a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim," amid the conflict with Hamas. The comments were made by the actress at a pro-Palestine rally in New York City on November 17. Critics of her comments said that she disregarded the centuries-long prejudice and antisemitism that the Jewish community has faced. 

The remarks provoked widespread outrage leading the 77-year-old Oscar-winning actress to get fired by her agency, United Talent Agency. Sarandon has been represented by UTA since 2014.

Susan Sarandon pens apology note

In a statement posted to Instagram Friday night, Sarandon said she had been trying to communicate her concern for rising hate crimes.

“This phrasing was a terrible mistake as it implies that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true. As we all know, from centuries of oppression and genocide in Europe, to the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, PA... Jews have long been familiar with discrimination and religious violence which continues to this day," the actress said.

“I deeply regret diminishing this reality and hurting people with this comment. It was my intent to show solidarity in the struggle against bigotry of all kinds, and I am sorry I failed to do so," Sarandon added.

Following her remarks at the November 17 rally in New York City, Sarandon was dropped by United Talent Agency (UTA). The Dead Man Walking star has appeared in two movies this year, DC spin-off Blue Beetle, which was a box-office flop, and rom-com Maybe I Do, with fellow veterans Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and William H. Macy, and has three other films in post-production.

More on the Israel-Hamas conflict

The Israel-Hamas conflict began after the October 7 attack by Hamas and other militants, who killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in southern Israel and took around 240 people captive.

Israel pounded targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday after a weeklong truce with Hamas giving rise to renewed concerns about civilian casualties.

(with inputs from PTI)