Natalie Portman skipped Israel award event over Netanyahu's speech

Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman said she chose not to attend a ceremony in Israel to accept a million-dollar prize because she did not want to be seen as supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was scheduled to speak at the event.

Portman’s decision, which she said was “mischaracterized by others,” had caused a minor backlash in Israel on Friday after organisers of the prestigious Genesis Prize award ceremony said they cancelled the prize-giving.

The group had quoted a representative of Portman who said recent “distressing” events in Israel caused the actress to back out.
 

This led many to interpret her decision as