During a roundtable interview yesterday for her film Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, which had its gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall last night, Golden Globe-winning actress Natalie Portman explained why she signed a letter to support Tel Aviv's inclusion in TIFF's City to City program. Last week, several artists signed a letter of protest about the city getting a spotlight at TIFF, with filmmaker John Greyson going so far as to pull his film out of the festival. "I just think the protest was very poorly considered," Portman clarified. "I'm not saying Israel is beyond criticism, because there's plenty in Israel's politics that you can criticize. It's just, why boycott artists? It's ridiculous. If you want to talk about applauding places that are built on suffering, the United States was built on the genocide of 40 million native Americans. Are we going to boycott American films?" Love and Other Impossible Pursuits also screens tonight at 9 p.m. at the AMC 6.
Tags:
Love and other impossible pursuits, Natalie Portman, protest, Tel Aviv, tiff, tiff 2009
Comments:
Well said, Natalie.
And how many innocent Jews have been murdered by Islamic fascists? Yet we do not protest films from Palestinians being screened in Canada, do we? I certainly hope not, so long as they don’t propagate hatred.
Here’s a history lesson for you fine protestors: For over 600 years Ottoman Turks ruled (with an iron fist) over the land of Palestine and never permitted the Arabs of Palestine (as well as the Jews) to govern themselves. The road to autonomy would not begin until the British drove the Turks out of Palestine during WWI. Thirty years later democracy finally arrived in a part of the world that never knew such a concept existed (still doesn’t, for the most part). And what happened?
I ask those of you who protest Tel Aviv's participation at the TIFF: Do you believe in the United Nations? Well, it was the UN that voted for the partition of Palestine, a vote that was to grant Jews and Arabs alike to finally, and rightfully, establish their own nations and govern themselves autonomously. Yet, Arab League armies, trained by former Nazi officers, defied the democratic notion overseen by the UN and attacked Israel. That's historic fact people.
To the Arab League (especially Saudi Arabia): Stop backing terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, who attack Israel. Start spending money on building a solid infrastructure in Palestine and allow it to govern itself peacefully and democratically. In addition, recognize the right of Israel to exist, and to exist peacefully.
To Israel: Pull your citizens out of the settlements and let the Palestinians have those lands granted to them by the UN partition vote of 1947.
Maybe then the region and the world can start living in peace.
Sigh...
PS: John Greyson, funny how you exercise your democratic right to protest in favour of a people who would never allow you to direct Queer As Folk and Covered on their turf. I suggest you first demand that Muslim nations democratize their countries, teach their people tolerance and if afterward Israel doesn't back down, I'll join you. 'Til then, shut up and go away.
Dear Bobbie Darren, I think you dont recognize Ottomans well. Because Ottomans helped lots of nations againts their cruel kings. Ottomans helped Jews in Spain and more. Give lands in Anatolia for a happy life. There are lots of Jews in Turkey now. And they are in piece. There are synagogues and mosques-masjids and churchs are builded nearly. Ottoman spread the peace to all world. Nations asked for helped from Ottoman Sultans against the cruelty and brutualism in their countries. In Islam muslims believe that Adam, Noah, Abraham, ..., Moses, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Jesus and Muhammed are all prophets of Allah. If you think deeply you can understand what is going on in Middle East. Islam loves every mankind except Cruels. Muslims respects all Christians and Jews. But dont respect and dont like Sionists. All readers of this news please take a look at The Holy Quran Translation and interpretation and the commentary of the Quran.
Natalie is one of my favorite actresses...but I agree with Mike.
I'm Palestinian and I don't agree with boycotting anyone's movies.
Israelis have the right to express them selves and Palestinians as well.
Natalie said: "If you want to talk about applauding places that are built on suffering, the United States was built on the genocide of 40 million native Americans."
So you agree that Israel is built on the suffering of Palestinians!
So the Ottomans were helping people by conquering them? Did they help the Armenians and Druzes too? This reminds me of an Asian I knew who, after denouncing Israel, went on to defend the Assad regime in Syria.
I respect Natalie as an actress (though I have never seen the Star Wars films), but if this is her comment, she shouldn't have said anything at all. It sounds like she didn't even read the original letter or understand it, as it clearly states that they are not attacking the films or filmmakers themselves, but the particular emphasis of the city, Tel Aviv at an international film festival in the year that Israel attacked Gaza. Also, to compare atrocities is idiotic - she just wanted to give a sound bite to the press instead of giving a thoughtful comment.
She has no conscience. Down grading somthing as serious as the plight of the Palestinians by comparing somthing that took place hundreds of years ago, to somthing that is happening NOW is asinine. There is no comparison, no one could SEE what was going on to the Natives of the Nations; but people can SEE and hear and feel for what is happening to the people of Palestine. Does she not understand how DESPERATE those people are? What feats of Hercules must be acomplished to show/prove to her and others with her mind set; that they have NO ONE and are prosecuted every single day. They are exicuted, they are belittled, they are considered sub-human inferior beings and are treated as such. There is nothing that has been done in our history that has not been done to the Palestinians, and if there still remains some acts of more inhumane practices; would you really want it to happen before somthing is done to stop it? When you call a people, a person irrelevent, and go so far as to deny their very exsistence THEN when they can prove they are therefore they exsist; and you shun them, imprison them, and punish them just for the crime of being born and hold their country with an aparthide - do not expect the world that has a conscience to support you. We do not live in the 17th or 18 century, we do not live in the Dark Ages, we live TODAY and NOW. Use the past to LEARN of mistakes made; not give yourself an excuse to make it the same mistake over again just because you can- or because it's been done before. That's not why you're taught of the past at all.
As for her, and her humanitarian side well she's a walking hypocrite. You cannot support one cause in Africa for example; but then disregard another atrocity and call yourself a humanitarian/philanthrapist/activist when they are both one and the same. If you're against injustice then thats what you are. But if you think you can just pick and choose; then you yourself have done a great injustice.
Such a disappointment, for someone who acredits themselves of going to Harvard and getting an education she really makes a fool/idiot of herself. And now she's lost a fan, which I'm sure is of no relevence to her. I'm only 20 years old and I USED to look up to her, she was somebody I thought would be different - I was wrong and I've lost my faith in her.
I was hoping that as humans we learnt from our past mistakes of genocide. The murder of American Indians was incorrect and millions of innocent people died during that time, but we should learn from our mistakes and not repeat them. Currently Israel is commiting crimes of genocide against the Palestinan people. Boycotting Israeli artists like Portman will encourage wealthy people like her to put pressure on her government to find peace with the Arab nations. Recent elections in Israel in 2009 have come up with a very right wing racist government. The Israeli people should do more to change this if they truly want peace with their neighbors.
Yeah, I was really disappointed when I read this. The boycott was not directed towards the artists, it's meant to bring attention to the human rights situation in Palestine. Yes, America was built on the genocide of millions native Americans, and the acquisition of Mexican territory, but I think most American's can recognize today that what was done to the indigenous population was wrong. But you have to put these events into historical context- that was hundreds of years ago! Israel declared independence in 1948, and has been expanding ever since. I realize that states are born in sin, and there is no doubt in my mind that there should be an Israel; however, this boycott is directed towards serious human rights abuses that are happening TODAY. What Israel did in Dec/Jan of 08/09 was indefensible, they killed 1400 human beings- overwhelmingly civilian, hundreds of them were children, and they destroyed most of Gaza's infrastructure. They shelled hospitals and schools with white phosphorous, which is an incendiary highly explosive compound which will burn through your flesh into your organs. Gaza has also been under a harsh blockade since 2006, which has crippled their economy. B'tselem, an ISRAELI human rights organization reports that:
“The closure of the crossings to the import of goods continues to prevent the reconstruction of vital infrastructure damaged during the operation. About 90 percent of Gaza residents suffer from blackouts lasting from four to eight hours every day, and some 10,000 Palestinians in the northern part of the Gaza Strip have no access to running water. It is impossible to rebuild the 3,450 residential dwellings that were destroyed and the 2,879 houses that were damaged. Twenty thousand uprooted Palestinians live in crowded conditions in rented apartments, with relatives, or in tents. The health system, which had to cope during and after the military operation with thousands of injured persons and with the damage resulting from Israeli attacks on medical teams and facilities, was severely harmed.”
I don't believe Natalie is bad person. I suspect that she is just naive. I just don't understand why so many Israeli's are so defensive. If someone criticize American foreign policy that doesn't mean they hate all Americans. That being said, America probably has the worst human rights record in the world, and spends about as much on their military as the rest of the world combined, and they give Israel billions of dollars in aid every year, not including their free gifts of fighter jets and helicopters. America was supplying Israel with most of the weapons the used during the assault on Gaza, all conveniently right in between American administration, as Obama was about to be sworn into office. This was an Israeli/American atrocity, so I think the US deserves an equal amount of criticism for their direct support.
Natalie should stick to acting, and stay out of politics.
honestly..am shocked..first of all am syrian so forgive me if my english not so good ..i was one of the biggest fans of nAtalie,but honestly she let me down..people please look around،open ur eyes,cant u see?? The Israelis are kill palestinians every day,distroy thier homes,killing thier children..and why !? Because palstinians dont accept that someone stole thier land,kill thier dears..and if any palestinian wanted 2 defend his right of being safe not killed,he would be a terrorist..is that fair ?? U can call the criminal Usama ben Laden a terrorist because he attacked a country with no right,he didnt has the right 2 kill thousands of people,and why ?? Because the Islam said so !! No my brothers,the Islam doesnt order u 2 kill innocent people,or make moms cry..the Islam is more mercyful than that, What Usama ben laden knows about Islam !!? Nothing..he knows nothing of any relgion..am as a muslim know and believe that Usama ben laden is only a mad killer.. The Islam is very fair religon..eye for eye tooth for tooth,and who starts damageing is the evil one with unfair..but Islam doesnt say kill for no reason,and ben laden killed for no reason.. The problem is that we "as muslims" carried his sin,and now all the world refuses us..but why ? what did we do ?..we did nothing but beling muslims..is that fair ? i believe it's not..
Brothers and sisters..it's too hard 2 live in a world full of wars and hate and damageing..and u r a part of this war,if u wanted or not..Syria my beloved country is a very peacful one..but does the world confess..? No it doesnt..what 2 do if the world wants 2 look at u as a terrorist while u r suffering of terrorism..yes people hundreds of killers such as ben laden attacked my country and planning 2 attacked as soon as possible..why ? Because Syria doesnt believe in hiding women inside doors or hiding them under covers or riseing them with no education..is that a crime 2 let women be equal 2 men..Is it a crime if Syria sopported poor people like palestinians who are getting killed because the refuse 2 be slaves 2 the 8sraelis?? Are we criminals ??
I will leave the answer 2 ur hearts,because i know they wont lie 2 u..
May the peace with u all..
Kamala
Natalie Portman ignorant idiot. What a shame and i wash just watching Oscar's and i was happy for her. She is immoral whore, whore, whore. How you can deny the pain of sufferings of Palestinians. Can't you see. Save your soul moran. You and people like are responsible for crimes against humanity. Natalie Portman is defusing the issue. What a sneak. Would i see in my life time Free Palestine
EVELYN palestinian = terrorist TERRORISTAS! BOMB. EVELYN YOU DO WHAT YOU BITCH, THE PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS ARE THEY TEACH IN PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN TO BE MARTYRS, suicide bombers. and it can kill now because Israel defends itself with a security fence, but would still be sending suicide bombers to kill children, women killing men in nightclubs, markets, restaurants and cinemas in israel, my total support to Israel, I am a Christian, Greetings Valencia Spain, the best land;) NATALIE BEST
EVELYN IGNORANT WHORE TERRORIST BOMB, LARGATE (GET OUT) A GAZA! EVELYN you really are WHORE TERRORIST ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF TERROR. Are at odds with all religions Islam strikes people of Hinduism Islam attacked Christians, Buddhists attacking Islam, attacking Jews Islam is the religion of terror, pro-Nazi EVELYN AND OTHER ISLAMIC GET OUT TO GAZA TO THE PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
I'm very desopointed of Natalie Portman. Not 3 days ago I went to see "Black Swan" here in Paris and I though she was a fine actress... To lean that she is such a Schizophrenic, manipulative person I’m shocked. There are no words to describe the atrocities that Israel has committed and still freely commit toward the Palestinian People. Natalie is Israelite and perfectly knows the situation and the HISTORY of the Palestinian land that’s why she gave the example of the USA because what Israel does with help of the USA is a massive genocide that the whole world let happen. They terrorize the Palestians and the whole region (Egypt, Syria.) and call any act of resistance Terrorism.
That’s their favorite tune to play and Celebrities such as Natalie Help their propaganda…
Black Swan was the last Natalie Portman movie I watch…
Israel is runnign comapign of extermination and ethnic cleansing in Palestine. Natalie Portman a soulless evil is actie spokesperson for such murderous policies. I am not Palestinian, but it is my country of. Sweet, Sweet Palestine, this evil in the name of art propaganding massacres and atrocities agaisnt Palestinian. natalie portman whore, whore, whore, criminal and dangerous tool in the hands of israel to defuse and diverte the issue, untill last Palestians is killed or left the country behind for Israel. Israel have not done yet with Palestinians, just littleb bit more time untill last Palestinians will flee. Save your soul Natalie Portman.
Natalie Portman is a running fine propaganda on behalf of the most ruthless and evil regime Israel. So many times I was upset due to mistreatment of Jews in Russia, Jews is Ukraine, Jews in Spain, Jews In Germany. However, I go to bed thinking what Israel is doing in Ramalla, In Gaza. Tomorrow another Palestinian will be killed, another house buldosed, another three uprooted. Natalie Portman is fine spokesperson for a dangerous regim and state and deserves boycott. Boycott Natalie Portman and Boycott Israel. They both deserve to be isolated and punished. I hope any day we will hear from international criminal court.
Natalie Portman is dangerous. Very dangerous. Behind that lovely face is a evil woman doing her part of denial and masking atrocities commited by israel against Palestinians. Be cautious of that woman. Be cautious of Natalie Portman. Her time will come to answer for cover up.
Long live free Palestine.
I agree with all the comments about Natalie that have shown her to be an extremely calculating and a dangerous individual. She uses her platform as an actress to play down the genocide in Gaza.
With her links to Alan Dershowitz, who seems to have had a hugh impact on her, I have serious reservations on her ability to see the humane catastrophe inflicted on the palestinians daily.
Why Israel defies the UN just because (lets be in no doubt) it is supported (like most oppresive resigmes) by America in light of their history is ironic.
Natalie is just another zionist and zionism is the new facism.
On another note, Zephon, I was extremely encouraged to read your post and others for as long as we have intelligent, tangible and enlightened people as yourself, we still may have a chance to put pressure on Israel to respect the Palestinians and put an end to this blood shed.
Valencia... you are ignorant and a racist. You are not part of ETA are you?
Natalie uses her platform to dismiss what 'her' state is doing. It is natural to point out her motivations, since she is making the comments.
Palestinians are ver poor people who are being killed day after day by the Israeli's for no reason they dont even feel safe in there own homes, and there country. I believe that there is no country called Israel its called palestine, 80 years ago there was no such thing as israel thats when the palestine people lived in peace in there own country there own homes; then the Europeans where sick of the jews they didnt like them at all so they kicked them out and thew in palestine so don't you bastards blame them for wanting to live in there own country without being scared to leave there houses to play
To Bobbie:
"Start spending money on building a solid infrastructure in Palestine."
You have some audacity to make such a comment given the fact that Israel prevents any building materials (concrete, wood, cement, etc) from entering the Gaza strip, claiming that these materials are used my Hamas to build bunkers. As per usual, no evidence has been provided to date to support this claim.
The Israeli government will use any excuse to deteriorate the quality of life of Palestinians.
Had no idea she supports Israeli genocide. The Genocide in the U.S. happened already. Nothing anyone can do about it now, except work towards equality and justice for ALL...
This does NOT give Israeli's the steam and justification for their present day ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, who have been inhabiting this land for thousands of years. The Jews of Israel are very racist people, and have established a "Jewish State", which cannot be democratic at the same time.
I will no longer go to Portmans' movies. I will boycott. Sad, I didn't realize she was such a zionist.
I suggest Portman go live in Israel. You cannot serve to masters.
I am sick and tired of the U.S. spending 3 billion a year on this little racist nation that uses the U.S. to fight its wars.
What about the USS Liberty attack by the Israelis that tried to pin it on the Arabs? Many other cases like this.
Well all the right wing comments are just sick and shocking, they need to go read what Hitler did to the jews! because thats what the jews are now doing to the muslims in Palistine!! The abused is now the abuser!!! did they learn anything??? its human rights!!! BASIC BLOODY RIGHTS!!!!
The difference, Natalie, is that America has admitted it's wrongdoings..not to say that America has made up for it. But Israel and the United States have not owned up to its' biggest embarassment.. the oppression against the Palestinian people. So until then..BOYCOTT!!
Hey Bobby Darren Ireland, u got me reading u until u started putting arab and nazi together and thats when u lost my respect and ur integrety. I believe in objectivity when discussing this complex topic. So, please be careful next time.
Spain-Valencia: te lo ruego, deja de avergonzarnos a los españoles escribiendo comentarios tan ignorantes, a no ser que quieras que el mundo piense que somos unos incultos. es cierto que Evelyn se ha pasado, pero lo me preocupa más es ver que tú de veras creas que los musulmanes son terroristas y que enseñan a sus hijos a ser asesinos. Eso es pura mentira asquerosa americana, más falsa que una catedral. en realidad el islam es muy parecido al cristianismo. Yo lo sé porque he ido de viaje al oriente medio con mis amigos y hasta me fui a estudiar dos años a Kuwait, y francamente la gente era encantadora. El hecho de que exista UN grupo extremista musulmán no tiene que significar que el resto de musulmanes también lo sean, al igual que no todos los europeos católicos somos como el asesino noruego que mató a cuchillazos 70 estudiantes sin piedad. A pesar de que los americanos son unos ignorantes y sólo se preocupan de sí mismos, tienen poder e influencia. ¿Te imaginas lo que pasaría si un día les viniese por decir que los españoles somos unos terroristas y que queremos conquistar a EEUU a través de la ETA? seguramente nuestros países vecinos nos evitarían y nos llamarían terroristas a pesar de que en realidad no hayamos hecho nada, y que la ETA en realidad no nos represente. lo mismo está sucediendo con los palestinos, lo de que son unos terroristas no es más que una mentira asquerosa. de hecho, tengo una amiga de egipto de origen palestino. su padre creció en egipto pero conservó su nacionalidad palestina para poder salvar su patria algún día. Tuvo que fugarse a egipto a pie con apenas 10 años y en el camino, su madre, junto con su hermano recién nacido y su hermana pequeña de 8 años fueron fusilados por unos soldados israelíes. tuvieron que dejar todo su dinero, su casa, sus propiedades, todo, porque el ejército israelí (constituido por soldados americanos) no dejaba de atacar e invadir el territorio palestino. esto todavía sigue pasando hoy en Gaza, y siguen sin poder resolverlo porque, al contrario de palestina que no tiene ni dinero ni armas, israel tiene acceso infinito a soldados americanos y no tienen pensado dejar de atacar hasta haber recuperado por completo el imperio israelí sagrado que tenían hace 2000 años. Y la onu tampoco hace nada porque seguramente cuando esta batalla empezó estaban haciendo pis y aun no se han enterado. Ahora en serio, lo que pasa es que no todo el mundo lo sabe porque hay muchos ignorantes que se niegan a escuchar la verdad y tienen los cojones de gritarle en plena cara "terrorista" a cualquier musulmán, por muy inocente que sea. Eso es, como tú acabas de hacer. En fin, piensa un poco antes de hablar, porque si esto nos hubiese pasado a los españoles, seguro que no nos haría ni puta gracia.
*For non-Spanish-speakers: In case you want to know what I wrote above, I will translate it all in English*
Spain-Valencia: I beg you, stop embarassing the Spaniards any further with such ignorant comments, unless you want the world to think that we Spanish are uncultivated. It's true that Evelyn said too much, but what concerns me more is the fact that you think of the Muslims as terrorists and people who teach their own children to become murderers. That's a big fat american lie. In fact, Islam is very similar to Christianity. I know it because I've traveled to the Middle East with my friends and I have been to Kuwait to study there for 2 years, and frankly the people were very nice. The fact that there is ONE Muslim extremist group doesn't mean that all the other Muslims are the same, just like not all Catholic Europeans are like that Norwegian murderer who mercilessly knifed 70 university students to death. Even though Americans are ignorant and self-centered, they do have influence and power. Can you imagine if one day they decide to say that we Spanish are terrorists who want to conquer the US through ETA (a Spanish terrorist group)? Our neighboring countries would definitely avoid us and call us terrorists even though we hadn't done anything and the ETA didn't represent us. The same thing is happening to palestine; that they are terrorists is nothing but a big lie. In fact, I have an Egyptian friend of Palestinian descent. Her father grew up in Egypt but kept his Palestinian identity to save his homeland some day. He had to flee to Egypt by foot when he was only 10, and on the way, his mother, along with his new-born brother, and his 8-year-old little sister were shot to death by israeli soldiers. They had to leave all their money, their home, their property, everything, because the israeli army (constituted by american soldiers) wouldn't stop attacking the palestinian territory.This is still happening today in Gaza, and they still can't solve it because, unlike palestine who has neither money nor weapons, israel has infinite access to american soldiers and have no intention of stopping until they have attained their ancient holy israeli empire that they owned 2000 years ago. And the UN is still not doing anything about it. Not everyone knows this because many of them refuse to even listen the truth, and have the guts to call any innocent muslim "terrorist" right in their face. That's right, just like you did. Anyways, think before you speak, because if this had happened to Spain, it would surely be no laughing matter.
The muslims have protected the jews for CENTURIES when they were persecuted by the spanish, the greeks and the nazis! They came to our land, from Tangier to Damas! We used to live like brothers, in fact we are cousins! Jews were allowed to practice their religion on the Muslim land, when in the same time they were exterminated in Europe! After that, thousands of Moroccan (my own ancesters), Algerian, Tunisian, Malian, Senegalian died for them during the WWII against Hitler! When this monster called my King Mohamed V to tell him "I will send you 200 000 yellow stars for the jews of your country" he replied "add 20 yellow stars for me and the members of my family"! And how do they thank us? By killing our brothers in Palestine every freakin'day! Plus, one of the three Talmudic oaths is to "don't return to Israel in wall", even God is against that project, israel is a ZIONIST STATE, the real jews who knows their Religion are against israel more than the Muslims themselves! Shalom, Salam, Salut, Peace.
And the Arabs are in Palestine since thousands of years, we were there even before we became muslims, so we have the right to be there too! This is our land more than them, because God didn't forbid us to return in wall to it! Read the Talmud guys, read the three oaths of Midrash, you don't even know your Religion... you were the chosen People... what a shame.
Look You Silly Obnoxious farts Natalie Portman is not dangerous
Why Is She Dangerous? Look She Is Very Attractive
Barbarians Admire Attractive women
Wootan is Angry With People Slagging of this Pretty Girl
And The Northern People Will Answer With Death And Fire Look
All persecution is wrong but Natalie Is not evil dangerous
hipocriticAL OR MANIPTLATIVE
I never knew that Natalie Portman is a real narrow-minded person. Her statement above really showed her true color of being a zionist.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. 😉 ?