Natalie Portman and ‘Regime Change’?

UPDATE

Following your complaints, The Independent has stated that the term “regime” “was not intended to imply that the government of Israel is anything other than democratic. It was used simply as a synonym for “government”.” As a result, the text has been amended and now says:

“She took part in an online campaign to support a change of government during the 2015 Israeli election and said she was shocked at Mr Netanyahu’s re-election.”

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Hollywood actress Natalie Portman’s decision not to attend the now canceled ceremony in Israel where she was to receive the Genesis Prize has caused considerable argument and debate.

There are now conflicting reports concerning Portman’s public statement claiming that a wish to avoid being seen to endorse Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was behind her decision. What is certain is that Portman will continue to divide opinion.

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As for The Independent‘s coverage, if any evidence of its particularly nasty streak towards Israel was necessary, it appears in the final paragraph of its Portman story:

The word “regime” is usually reserved for the governments of non-democratic states, including some of Israel’s neighbors such as Syria and Iran.

The Independent and Natalie Portman are within their rights to dislike Benjamin Netanyahu. What is undeniable, however, is that the Israeli government was elected in free and fair elections as is the norm in a Western liberal democracy.

“Regime change” is hardly the correct description for a democratic election. The Independent’s use of language is inaccurate and offensive.

And if The Independent is paraphrasing something that Portman was indeed campaigning for, it should make this clear.

The Independent also demonstrated some editorial carelessness. Its story referred to Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev in the masculine form. Regev, whatever one thinks about her or her politics, is most certainly female.

Two out of the three references to Regev as a he were corrected after we pointed it out. A simple typo or possibly another example of The Independent’s habit of relying on laptop journalists neither based in nor with any actual background on Israel for its regularly biased coverage.

Please ask The Independent to amend its reference to “regime change” by sending your considered comments through its online feedback form.

 

Featured image: Screenshot: Genesis Prize website