Natalie Portman has defended her decision to cancel her trip to Israel where she was set to receive the Genesis Prize, saying she prefers not to be seen as "endorsing" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a statement posted on her Instagram page, the "Annihilation" actor said her reasoning for opting out of the event, which has since been cancelled, has been mischaracterised by the media.
"Let me speak for myself. I chose not to attend because I did not want to appear as endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu, who was to be giving a speech at the ceremony. By the same token, I am not part of the BDS movement and do not endorse it," Portman said.
BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions group that protests against Israel over its treatment of Palestinian people and the West Bank.
"Like many Israelis and Jews around the world, I can be critical of the leadership in Israel without wanting to boycott the entire nation. I treasure my Israeli friends and family, Israeli food, books, art, cinema, and dance.
"Israel was created exactly 70 years ago as a haven for refugees from the Holocaust. But the mistreatment of those suffering from today's atrocities is simply not in line with my Jewish values. Because I care about Israel, I must stand up against violence, corruption, inequality, and abuse of power," Portman said.
After the 36-year-old backed out of the ceremony, Genesis Prize Foundation was forced to cancel the event.
Portman had said the "recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her" and that "she cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony."
Israel's minister of culture and sport, Miri Regev, has criticised Portman's decision, saying she "fell like a ripe fruit into the hands of supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)".
Portman, who was born in Jerusalem, has openly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past, telling The Hollywood Reporter in a 2015 interview, "I'm very much against Netanyahu. Against. I am very, very upset and disappointed that he was re-elected."
Last year, in December, singer Lorde had cancelled a planned concert date in Israel's Tel Aviv amid protests for artistes to boycott performing in the country. Earlier in 2017, Radiohead similarly faced criticism ahead of its July 19 concert in the city.
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