Actress Natalie Portman refused to receive an award in Israel, ministers accused her of antisemitism

TEL AVIV, (Patria) - Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said that the decision of Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman not to accept the Genesis Prize and her statements regarding it, border on antisemitism, reports Al Jazeera.

Portman said she would not accept the award in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was scheduled to speak at the ceremony in Jerusalem.

- Natalie Portman has been betrayed by our worst haters and worst antisemites in the Middle East - Steinitz said in an interview on Sunday, reports the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Portman made a serious mistake and owes Israel an apology, he added.

- Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. Boycotting Israel has elements of antisemitism - Steinitz said, adding that Portman would not boycott China or India. Boycotting the ceremony because Netanyahu is participating in it practically amounts to boycotting Israel, he added.

Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan wrote a letter to Portman, referencing the movie Star Wars in which she starred.

- Anakin Skywalker, a character you know well from Star Wars, went through a similar process. He began to believe that the Jedi Knights were evil, and that the forces of the Dark Side were protectors of democracy. I urge you not to let the Dark Side win - he wrote.

The foundation behind the prestigious Genesis Prize announced that this year's recipient, American actress Natalie Portman, has refused to attend the award ceremony in June in Israel.

The reason for refusing the award is the recent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian civilians, in which hundreds of Palestinians were killed and injured.

- It is not pleasant for me to participate in any public events in Israel - Portman announced.

Portman added that she does not want to attend a ceremony where Benjamin Netanyahu will speak, as she does not want to appear to be supporting him.

She also added that she is not part of any boycott movement against Israel and that the mistreatment of those suffering from unrest is simply not in line with her Jewish values. The award ceremony has been canceled.

The Genesis Prize is awarded annually to Jews who serve as "inspiration to future generations of Jews through their extraordinary professional achievements along with their commitment to Jewish values and the Jewish people." The award comes with a million dollars that recipients can donate directly to a charity of their choice.

This year's award was doubled because Israeli philanthropist Morris Kahn also contributed a million dollars.