Mark Ruffalo Apologizes for Suggesting Israel Committing ‘Genocide’: ‘It’s Not Accurate’
Mark Ruffalo #MarkRuffalo
Mark Ruffalo has issued an apology after sharing posts suggesting that Israel had committed “genocide” during the nation’s recent 11-day conflict with Hamas, an Islamist Palestinian militant group.
The Thor: Ragnarok star, 53, was among a host of celebrities who took to social media in recent weeks to condemn Israel as tensions soared in the region.
But late Monday night, the American actor shared on Twitter that he was distancing himself from his “inflammatory” and “disrespectful” stance against Israel’s actions.
He wrote: “I have reflected & wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing ‘genocide’.
“It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful & is being used to justify antisemitism here & abroad. Now is the time to avoid hyperbole.”
What To Know About Israel, Hamas Ceasefire In Gaza After Deadly 11-Day Conflict
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A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Friday following widespread destruction across Gaza.
Airstrikes and fighting led to the deaths of at least 230 Palestinians in Gaza, including 65 children. In Israel, 12 people died, including two children, Associated Press reported.
One day after the May 10 start of the war, Ruffalo shared a petition on Twitter calling for sanctions against Israel.
He wrote: “1500 Palestinians face expulsion in #Jerusalem. 200 protesters have been injured. 9 children have been killed.
“Sanctions on South Africa helped free its black people – it’s time for sanctions on Israel to free Palestinians. Join the call. #SheikhJarrah.”
In October, the American actor made an appearance Mehdi Hasan’s eponymous NBC show, where he discussed his support for Palestinians.
“There’s no reason why an ally of American should not be held to same the standard as we would hold any other nation in the world,” he said.
Touching on the reaction he had received for his stance, Ruffalo said: “I was called an antisemite about it, for doing that—which was really tough to hear.
“The fact that so many people will take it to that extreme when you’re talking about that type of inequality, that type of oppression, that kind of apartheid. Really.”
Branding the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict “asymmetrical warfare,” the Wisconsin-born star went on to compare the tensions to what he described as an “apartheid system” in the U.S. affecting people of color.
Models Gigi and Bella Hadid—whose father Mohamed Hadid is of Palestinian origin—were also among the stars who expressed their support for Palestinians in a series of social media posts.
Reposting an Instagram story shared by their older sister, Alana Hadid, Bella added: “My sisters and I, we speak in a family group chat every day.
“Mostly about Palestine and all that goes on. It is so hard to put into words how I feel. I feel the pain of my ancestors. I cry for them.
“I cry for my Palestinian brothers and sisters, there now, feeling unsafe and scared. This needs to stop, there is NO room for this in 2021!!!!
“My sister [Alana] wrote perfectly how I feel today. We are proud [to be] Palestinian and we stand with Palestine.”
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