The Oscar-winning actress, Susan Sarandon, found herself parted from United Talent Agency last month after her inflammatory remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York City. During the rally, she claimed that American Jews were experiencing "a taste of how it feels to be Muslim in America," drawing a comparison that quickly garnered controversy.
Recently, Sarandon took to Instagram to apologize for her divisive comments regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. In a heartfelt post, she acknowledged her participation in the rally, explaining that she had intended to highlight the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a ceasefire.
"I had not planned to speak, but when invited to the stage, I intended to convey my deep concern over the escalating hate crimes," Sarandon wrote. "Unfortunately, in attempting to express my solidarity with the Jewish American community, who have been targets of rising antisemitism, I made a terrible mistake. I said that they were 'getting a taste of what it is like to be Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence.' This phrasing was insensitive and hurtful, as it implied that Jews had been strangers to persecution, which is far from the truth."
She continued, "Jews have long been familiar with discrimination and religious violence, from centuries of oppression in Europe to the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. I deeply regret minimizing this painful reality and hurting people with my words. My intention was to show solidarity against all forms of bigotry, and I am sorry that I failed to convey this message effectively."
Concluding her post, Sarandon expressed her continued commitment to peace, truth, justice, and compassion for all people. "I hope that we can engage in meaningful dialogue, especially with those who hold differing views," she wrote. "Let us meet with love and openness, seeking understanding and unity in our diverse world."
The fallout from her comments was swift and severe, with United Talent Agency announcing that it was no longer representing her. A spokesperson for the talent agency confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter at the time that the agency had severed ties with the actress.
