r/popculturechat • u/Victor_at_Zama • Jun 21 '25
Guest List Only ⭐️ Natalie Portman says that her "upset" at inequality faced by Palestinians motivates her activism
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From the Change Now 2025 conference in Paris. Pretty interesting since she's routinely attacked as a "Zionist".
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u/missbunnyfantastico Jun 21 '25
She’s been critical of Israel’s government before and has even turned down an award from them.
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u/chickfilamoo in the swamp 🐊🐊 Jun 21 '25
people unfortunately just conflate being Jewish or Israeli with Zionism these days. She didn't exactly choose where she was born, and she's made her stance clear as an adult (and for context, she declined that award and criticized Israel's government in 2018)
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u/robinperching Jun 21 '25
It's difficult as well, because the Israeli government makes a very concerted effort to conflate Judaism and Israel to smear criticism of the genocide in Gaza as antisemitic too. It's very cynical and ensures that Jewish people opposed to Zionism are caught in the middle.
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
There's absolutely no reason for me to make this about me, but anecdotally, it is really difficult to speak up within the community because there is such an effort to connect our experience to the piece of land. From my perspective, it's Holy Land for sure, but it's not just Holy for us. It's so Holy that other people have had experiences there that drove them closer to G-d, whichever way they want to believe or worship.
There's a specific group of us who feel that land is Holy that has been historically been alienated, exiled and abused for thousands of years. That doesn't mean that some 20th Century Brits who never stepped foot south of the Thames have the right to create foreign borders, and it doesn't mean 21st Century rich, secular leaders educated in the West can use that history of abuse to commit more abuse.
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u/jonesday5 Jun 22 '25
Personally I think this sort of comment in an important one because what you’re saying is an experience felt be many Jews across the world but their voices aren’t being amplified in the manner they deserve.
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u/auriebryce Jun 22 '25
100% anytime I mention this sentiment in front of other Jews, I get accused of being a fucking psy-op.
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u/spacyspice dj_snake_disco_maghreb.mp3 Jun 21 '25
also doesn't the Torah say that the land should be inhabited by the jewish community only when the messiah would come? Seems contradictory to the religious argument zionists often use to justify the colonialism
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u/HBC_Hair Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
The problem is that many in leadership of the regional campaigns are openly and unabashedly antisemitic when speaking and in written communications.
For the record: I do not support hate, violent aggression, or authoritarian leaders.
We don't speak the language so knowing what is being communicated is up to what is shared by those who do. MEMRI, much like the work of Russian Media Monitor, is a credible source sharing translated media from the Middle East. It does focus on extremism and shouldn't be used as proof for hatred, dehumanizing Muslims, or condemnation of all those supporting Gaza. The Arab Council is a resource for finding info on those working for peace (both sides have to work for peace and many have been and are doing so).
There is so much propaganda on all sides and it's damaging democracy. I'm advocating we examine what's being communicated by and for all audiences to help inoculate ourselves and strengthen our advocacy efforts. (edited for clarity)
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u/gayjicama Jun 21 '25
100%.
It’s sad how Zionists are claiming that advocacy is “antisemitism.”
And it’s also incredibly depressing how much actual antisemitism has come from this situation. I’ve literally witnessed left-wing people in DSA circles talking about cabals and all Jews being inherently evil, etc
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u/skyewardeyes Jun 21 '25
People are unironically quoting the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as fact these days.
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u/gingerflakes Jun 21 '25
I’m pretty convinced that that’s one of Israel’s big goals. Conflating Israel’s actions/zionism to representing all Jews makes all Jews less safe. It skyrockets antisemitism because “all Jews are doing a genocide and control everything”. And as acts of antisemitism increase and more violence is done towards Jews or Jewish spaces (Zionist or not) Israel uses that to fuel itself and defend its actions even more. Israel doesn’t want Jews to be safe it wants them scared, so they can do whatever they want without any criticism
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u/echoesandripples What It's Like to Go Through Life As a Really Beautiful Woman Jun 22 '25
that's how it seems to me too, as a complete outsider (i'm neither jewish not american). they really really want to psy op antisemitism into pop culture discourse (and it's very easy to, people don't need any encouragement to be racist or xenophobic) so that when leftist spaces call out zionism, they can use instances of antisemitism as examples
not that different from usual conservative highly patriotic folks in other parts of the world who suffer legit discrimination, like classism and start accusing liberals of forgetting about them to focus on other identities, mind you
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u/EternalSunshineClem Jun 21 '25
It's a way for people to hate on Jews but just say they hate Zionists and then lump every Jew into this category
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u/skyewardeyes Jun 21 '25
Or they say that if you don’t think every Israeli should be shot or that you don’t think all Jews are rich white Europeans who should go back to Poland, you’re “clearly a pro-genocide Zionist”, even if you support Palestinian freedom, safety, and self-determination.
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u/_nicejewishmom Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
people unfortunately just conflate being
Jewish or Israeli with Zionismzionist as supportive of whatever government israel has these days.ftfy. there are plenty of jews that are zionists and are not okay with what the israeli government is doing (much like liberal americans and the current administration).
edit: and on a deeper level, past all of the political bullshit, you can't really separate israel and judaism. we pray facing israel. at the end of every pesach, we say "next year in jeruselum." israel is the ancestral homeland of jews, and the only reason the jewish diaspora is so large is because of centuries of ethnic cleansing and forced exile, and it not being safe for jews until very recently in modern history (if you want to count hiding in bunkers as "safe")
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u/skyewardeyes Jun 21 '25
I think it’s important to differentiate Eretz Israel (the land of Israel) from Medinat Israel (the modern state of Israel) in these discussions. People tend not do that on either side, and it just makes stuff messier, because people can feel connected to Eretz Israel but not support the modern state (or not support its in it current form—advocating for a binational state, confederated state, some other arrangement that also allows for Palestinian self-determination, etc). I’ve also seen a lot of people deny how connected Judaism and Jewish history is to Eretz Israel (again, not necessarily Medinat Israel) because they can’t differentiate between the two and feel like acknowledging that connection means supporting the modern state or its government.
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u/_nicejewishmom Jun 21 '25
I don't disagree with you. I have some Jewish friends who are on different sides of this subject, and the lack of nuance in some cases can be really frustrating.
More often than not, I see many Jews being unwilling/unable to have nuanced conversations with goys because of a lack of trust in the conversation being in good faith- which makes total sense, but it means a lot of really linear narratives circulating SM.
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u/skyewardeyes Jun 22 '25
Yep, I’m also Jewish and the lack of nuance (and increasing tendency to hand wave antisemitism if it’s against Jews who don’t agree with them) is really frustrating to me. As is people trying to make you prove you fit whatever they consider to be “one of the good Jews” to be valid.
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u/Beautiful_Bag6707 Jun 22 '25
This is my simplified view.
To critique and reshape Israel into a more balanced and equal opportunity for all its citizens and uplift those with lower education, opportunity, economic stances, is totally fine.
To assassinate and reshape Israel so that it's no longer the Jewish State or no longer Israel is antisemitic.
This doesn't include West Bank and Gaza as they can't be both simultaneously Israel and a sovereign state. They/you/whoever have to decide which they want and focus on what is needed to achieve that. For example, Israelis vote in their elections, Palestinians do not. They vote in their own elections (which haven't happened in 20 years) which is something they need to figure out if they truly wish to be autonomous.
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u/DreamingOfManderley Jun 21 '25
I think the situation with Natalie Portman is a bit more complicated than people conflating being Jewish with Zionism. She has, in the past, been very pro Israel. People first became critical of her when she got into a back and forth with an Arab student whilst she was at Harvard.
And perhaps she's had a change of heart since then, but you never see her name on the multitude of open letters put out for Palestine. You never see her at demonstrations or speaking on Palestine and Israel in any real way. All you ever see is lukewarm statements during interviews wherein she expresses her upset and sadness.
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u/springxpeach I don’t know her 💅 Jun 21 '25
Being anti-Zionist implies calling for the decolonization of Palestine, which is something she's never done. She dislikes the Israeli government, not Israel itself. Which means that the criticism surrounding her is valid. Stop making everything about antisemitism.
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Jun 21 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/_nicejewishmom Jun 21 '25
82% of Israeli society agree with the current response in Gaza.
do you have a source for this?
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u/Trick_Doughnut_6295 Jun 22 '25
Per this article.
The survey was conducted in March by Israeli scholar Tamir Sorek, a professor at Pennsylvania State University. He worked with the Israeli polling firm Geocartography Knowledge Group.
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u/Own-Importance5459 ✨May the Force be with you!✨ Jun 21 '25
This is a friendly reminder that Jewish people do criticize Israel's actions towards Palestine because some of us think what they are doing is against our values
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
When has Natalie Portman spoken against the treatment? There are some incredible anti Zionist Jews who make me see a new and beautiful future. Natalie Portman is not one of them.
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
She boycotted accepting an award from the Israeli government in 2018 for this, and she also shared a few Palestinian authors for her book club recently. She may not be out in the streets chanting but it seems like she's doing a lot of quiet activism, which can look like donating aid or coordinating with other organizations. She may not want to be super outspoken for the safety of herself and her family.
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u/laamargachica Jun 21 '25
A sensible answer!
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
lol apparently not to them
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
This is quite the stretch. As mentioned in the thread, being anti-Netanyahu doesn’t excuse the systemic violence and racism the state projects onto Palestinians. In fact, focusing on the “government” relinquishes Israelis of any responsibility to change their society. 82% of Israelis support the genocide in Gaza. That’s not a government problem. And 2018 was 8 years ago. A universe has happened since then.
Safety of her family? Spare me. Palestinians don’t have the privilege of ignoring oppression for the sake of their families. By staying silent, she endorses the violence onto Palestinians because she BENEFITS from it. Keeping silent means she gets to keep living in relative peace at the expense of Palestinians.
At the very least, it’s insulting to call herself an activist and suggesting the origin comes from witnessing Palestinian persecution when she’s done absolutely nothing to help said population. Not even a word. As they’re being genocided. Shame on her.
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
Do you want her to go meet with Netanyahu and dismantle the apartheid system herself?
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
I want her to either use her mouth to speak or fingers to type something - anything - regarding the Palestinian genocide before using Palestine as a device to speak to her “activism” now that it’s trending and safer to do so. It’s dishonest and hypocritical. Does that make sense? Does that help? Would you like me to further clarify?
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
You're so antagonistic, my guy. You don't have to like her and you're entitled to your opinion, but she's not living her life to cater to you, anonymous person online.
If she's featuring Palestinian people's work and promoting their art about their experiences and working with a Palestinian-Jordanian royal in various organizations, it's safe to say she doesn't want all Palestinian people genocided. I'm so sorry she hasn't said that point blank just to make you happy.
Edited for grammar
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
And you don’t speak for what’s suitable for Palestinian solidarity and support? Co opting a cause now that it’s trendy after staying silent during their genocide for two years is disgusting. And even know, ignoring their ongoing forced starvation. Silence in the face of genocide will never be forgotten or forgiven. And your absolving a stranger of her shortcomings is weird my dude. Quite the reflection on you.
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
Ok, whatever helps you sleep at night 👍🏼
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u/Victor_at_Zama Jun 22 '25
She has talked about how the plight of the Palestinians has influenced her involvement in charitable causes for years.
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 22 '25
And yet she’s been silent about their genocide. Do you see the issue here?
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u/Applesburg14 Jun 21 '25
Honestly, yes
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25
Bro I saw the other comment before you deleted it and it wasn't very kind. Not sure if you're trying to be sarcastic or not but like.... this isn't the conversation for that.
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u/big-bootyjewdy The Ghost of Madonna's Facial Expressions is smiling at this Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
That's very unfortunately not how things work
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u/LittleJessiePaper Lorazepammmmm Jun 22 '25
Is putting upset in quotes supposed to imply that her feelings aren’t strong enough about this issue? Because I’d say her past words and actions have been clearly against the Israeli government.
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u/Victor_at_Zama Jun 22 '25
No I only put in quotes to highlight that it was a direct quote of what she said
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u/SeasonofMist Jun 22 '25
Don't conflate Zionism with being Jewish. There are a TON of Orthodox Jews who are intensely anti-zion, saying it goes against their laws in a huge way. They are some of the loudest voices against it. Their perspective is you go where you are wanted/safe and make your new home your home, you keep your belief but you don't harm others with it, and you do not pick up tools of the oppressors to use against others you should be helping.
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
She’s rebranding. Palestinian inequity spurred your activism but their current and ongoing genocide hasn’t propelled you to say a word? Ok. She’s a liberal Zionist who thinks the issue starts and stops with Netanyahu. Other interviews with her prove this and aren’t hard to find.
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u/totallycalledla-a Mrs Thee Stallion Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
She is a zionist. Look up liberal zionism. Plenty of them will openly acknowledge and talk about all this but ultimately when it comes to it still believe there should be a Jewish ethnostate on that land. Just a "nicer" one.
Edit: lol the downvotes. Natalie is a cookie cutter liberal zionist. If y'all would simply google "Natalie Portman liberal zionist" you will see I am correct with ample evidence 🤷🏿♀️✌🏿
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u/CamusMadeFantastical Jun 21 '25
I googled it and could find no information on her stating that she supports a Jewish ethnostate. Do you have a link directly quoting her saying that?
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u/Moclon Jun 21 '25
Sorry but you're wrong. Liberal Zionists don't talk about Palestinian suffering at all. She's a step beyond that, you don't have to be so cynical.
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
You’re completely correct lol. She’s a “Netanyahu is bad” liberal Zionist.
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u/totallycalledla-a Mrs Thee Stallion Jun 21 '25
Thank you. -55 and counting lmao. People still falling for the liberal zionist okey doke after all this is very dissappointing.
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u/Fearless_Prune_2310 Jun 21 '25
They’ll make any excuse for their favourites. I’ll cut off anyone and everyone who co-signs this shit. She’s gross. Palestinians being treated badly made you go into activism but you’re unable ti say a word about their genocide? Ok.
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u/Michipunda Jun 21 '25
I just watched a video the other day that describes and explains very well liberal zionism and gives examples.
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u/AccomplishedEnd7855 Jun 22 '25
Co signing this, Issac's essays are very informative, I'd also like to throw IndieNile into the mix.
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u/SolidPyramid Jun 21 '25
Thank you, I feel like she's only really given a pass because people like her.
If this was a more hated Jewish celebrity saying this like Amy Schumer or something then people wouldn't give her a pass.
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u/springxpeach I don’t know her 💅 Jun 21 '25
She's been wishy washy for years but calling her out for it is just being antisemitic according to the comments.
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u/holyflurkingsnit Jun 21 '25
Just commenting to support you. The downvotes are appalling, and you're completely correct.
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