Susan Sarandon feels “deep regret” for “hurting people” with her controversial comment about Jews at a recent pro-Palestine rally in New York City.
The Oscar winner was slammed after she said on Nov. 17 that Jewish people are “getting a taste of what it is like to be Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence” following the global rise of antisemitic attacks due to the Israel-Hamas war.
“This phrasing was a terrible mistake, as it implies that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true,” Sarandon, 77, said in a statement on Instagram Friday.
She then listed some of the horrific acts of violence Jews have had to endure like the “genocide in Europe” and “the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh.”
“I deeply regret diminishing this reality and hurting people with this comment,” Sarandon added. “It was my intent to show solidarity in the struggle against bigotry of all kinds, and I am sorry I failed to do so.”
The “Thelma & Louise” star said she “had not planned” to speak at the rally and attended it in order to raise awareness of the “urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a ceasefire.”
She said she intended to “communicate [her] concern for an increase in hate crimes.”
Sarandon then concluded, “I will continue my commitment to peace, truth, justice and compassion for all people. I hope that we can meet with love and willingness to engage in dialogue, especially with those with whom we disagree.”
The comments were turned off under the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” star’s post, but many people took to social media to react to her apology — and most did not accept it.
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One person tweeted, “It took her TWO WEEKS to apologize? No. We see right through this apology @SusanSarandon … it could have been meaningful if issued within a day or two. Two weeks – it feels like either she had to be pressured to apologize or antisemitism is an after thought for her.”
Another agreed, “Too late Susan. You knew what you were doing. You knew exactly what you were saying.”
Sarandon’s mea culpla comes nearly two weeks after Page Six exclusively reported that she had been dropped by United Talent Agency (UTA) because of her rant.
Sources told us at the time that several staffers at UTA were “extremely hurt” by the actress’ statement.
Sarandon was then seen just a day later appearing unbothered as she went for a stroll in NYC.
She was photographed on Nov. 22 in good spirits with a pleasant smirk on her face.
The “Stepmom” star had not yet reacted to the backlash, but re-posted a clip via her Instagram Stories from human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid at the time about the importance of being “anti-racist.”