Helen Mirren on Street Harassment: 'Attacked by Mistake'
Quick Look
Helen Mirren described a street harassment incident in London, where she was called an "evil Zionist bitch," as a "mistake" by a man who was "mentally not quite stable." She reiterated her support for Israel's existence, citing the Holocaust, but condemned its actions in Gaza as "crimes against humanity."
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Why It Matters
Helen Mirren was subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse in London, with the attacker referencing her support for Israel. The incident, captured on video, occurred near Tower Hill. Mirren, who previously played Golda Meir, has a history of expressing support for Israel's existence, linking it to the Holocaust.
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.”
In May, the Metropolitan police said in a statement: “We are aware of a video circulating online, showing a man and a woman being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse in Tower Hill. It is believed that the incident took place at the end of last year.” No further action was taken after police discussion with Mirren and Hackford.
Open Questions
- What was the exact motivation of the attacker?
- Will there be any further public statements from Helen Mirren on this specific incident?
- What is the current status of the investigation into the incident by the Metropolitan Police?
- How does Mirren reconcile her support for Israel with her condemnation of its actions in Gaza?
