In a tweet on Wednesday, actress Susan Sarandon expressed support for “the Palestinian people” allegedly living under “apartheid” while tipping her hat to pro-Palestinian model Bella Hadid.
“I stand with the Palestinian People fighting against the apartheid government of Netanyahu and pray for the Israeli people that they too, will enjoy peace,” Sarandon tweeted. “I also support @bellahadid for having the bravery to stand in solidarity with her people. That can be lonely.”
I stand with the Palestinian People fighting against the apartheid government of Netanyahu and pray for the Israeli people that they too, will enjoy peace. I also support @bellahadid for having the bravery to stand in solidarity with her people. That can be lonely.
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) May 26, 2021
Model Bella Hadid filmed herself at a pro-Palestinian march where she chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Pro-Israel activists noted the anti-Semitism on display with such a statement.
“When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State. This shouldn’t be an Israeli-Palestinian issue. This should be a human issue. Shame on you,” tweeted Israel. “For those of you who don’t know, ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ is a phrase used by those who call for the elimination of Israel (from the river to the sea….)”
For those of you who don’t know, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is a phrase used by those who call for the elimination of Israel (from the river to the sea….)
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) May 17, 2021
As The Daily Wire’s Ian Haworth noted, “from the river to the sea” is not only an anti-Semitic statement, but a genocidal one.
“The slogan gained widespread popularity among Palestinian nationalists in the 1960s, and at its core makes the argument that the Israeli land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea is Palestinian territory,” noted Haworth. “The slogan was claimed by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) — a terrorist organization — in 1964, and is still claimed by another terrorist organization, Hamas, who currently run the Gaza Strip. Hamas are also responsible for the recent waves of hundreds of random rocket attacks on Jewish civilians.”
Sarandon’s statement in support of Palestine comes after actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk in “The Avengers” franchise, apologized on Monday for saying that the Israeli government is guilty of “genocide” while calling for an end to “hyperbole.”
“I have reflected & wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing ‘genocide.’ It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful & is being used to justify antisemitism here & abroad. Now is the time to avoid hyperbole,” he tweeted.
As noted by NBC News, it’s unclear for exactly which comment Mark Ruffalo was apologizing. On May 11, he did, however, call for sanctions against Israel while making a call to “Free Palestine.”
“1500 Palestinians face expulsion in #Jerusalem. 200 protesters have been injured. 9 children have been killed. Sanctions on South Africa helped free its black people – it’s time for sanctions on Israel to free Palestinians. Join the call. #SheikhJarrah” he said.
Related: Mark Ruffalo Apologizes For Saying Israel Commits ‘Genocide’