Natalie Portman rejects Israeli honor, and honors Palestinian BDS
Natalie Portman will not travel to Israel to accept an award she was scheduled to receive in June, saying she “cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony.”
“Recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel,” a representative for the “Annihilation” star told the Genesis Prize Foundation, which presents the award, according to Israeli news outlet Haaretz.
As a result, the June 28 ceremony in Jerusalem will be canceled entirely, the foundation said in a statement on Thursday obtained by Haaretz.
Natalie Portman Declines Honor and Cancels Israel Trip Portman will not be traveling to Israel in June to accept The Genesis Prize Foundation’s honor as part of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions group.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Portman has vocalized her disapproval of the re-election of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Due to the nation’s treatment of the Palestinians and the West Bank.
“Ms. Portman is a highly accomplished actress, a committed social activist and a wonderful human being.” the foundation said in an estatement. “We fear that Ms. Portman’s decision will escalate political sidings, and more artists boycott the foundation.” the estatement added.
The BDS group even issued a statement urging the 26 Oscar nominees of the 2017 Academy Awards swag bags not to travel to Israel.
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