Republicans split on following Trump’s demands for restrictive voting bill
Trump urges Republicans to pass a $350 billion bill, causing division over voting restrictions.
The Guardian World1 min read
Helen Mirren speaks out about being called ‘evil Zionist’ on the street in London
TL;DR
Helen Mirren was verbally attacked in London, being called an 'evil Zionist bitch' by a man while walking with her husband. She expressed her support for Israel but condemned rising evil forces and criticized actions against humanity.
Key points
- Helen Mirren was verbally attacked in London.
- She was called an 'evil Zionist bitch' during the incident.
- Mirren supports Israel but criticizes actions against humanity.
Mentioned in this story
Helen MirrenTaylor HackfordIsrael
Helen Mirren has commented on being called an “evil Zionist bitch” while being harassed in the street in London, saying she was “attacked by mistake by a man who was maybe a little over passionate or maybe mentally not quite stable”.
Footage circulated last month of an incident, believed to have taken place last year, while Mirren was walking with her husband, film-maker Taylor Hackford. They were approached and filmed by an unidentified person, who commented on Mirren’s support of Israel and then launched a volley of abuse at her.
Speaking to journalists at the Taormina film festival, Mirren reiterated her support for the existence of the state of Israel but said: “Evil forces are rising everywhere, even in a country like Israel.” In reference to Israel’s assault on Gaza, she said: “How could you possibly repeat the actions of what was done to you as people to other people? Crimes against humanity, it’s called.”
Mirren, who is not Jewish, added: “I grew up in Europe post second world war and the realisation in my parents’ generation of what had happened in the Holocaust was so profound, so important. Therefore, the creation of Israel was a very important moment, although maybe it was done in completely the wrong way, in the wrong place, I don’t know. But something had to happen after the horror.”
“I saw it from the inside and I saw some things that disturbed me from the inside in Israel at that time. I’m talking about six months after the six-day war.”
Mirren, who played Israeli prime minister Golda Meir in Guy Nattiv’s 2023 biopic, has previously stated her support for Israel, including co-signing a letter alongside Gene Simmons and Boy George backing Israel’s participation in Eurovision. In 2023, Israeli media reported her as saying: “I believe in Israel, in the existence of Israel, and I believe Israel has to go forward into the future, for the rest of eternity. I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.” However, she added she would have joined protests against current Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: “My people are the people who are out demonstrating.”
Q&A
What did Helen Mirren say about being called an 'evil Zionist'?
Helen Mirren described the incident as an attack by a man who was possibly mentally unstable and reiterated her support for Israel while condemning rising evil forces.
What incident involving Helen Mirren occurred in London?
Helen Mirren was harassed on the street in London by an unidentified person who filmed her and shouted abuse related to her support for Israel.
How does Helen Mirren view the creation of Israel?
Helen Mirren acknowledged the importance of Israel's creation post-Holocaust but questioned the manner in which it was established, suggesting it might have been done in the wrong way.
