(Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Award-winning actress Natalie Portman has deeply wronged the Jewish state and offended many Israelis. Urge her to issue a public apology.

Hollywood celebrity Natalie Portman has announced that she did not “feel comfortable” accepting The Genesis Prize, akin to a “Jewish Nobel,” due to “recent events in Israel,” and by doing so she has deeply wronged the Jewish state and offended many Israelis.

Portman’s representatives stated that “recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing to her, and she does not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.” Furthermore, “she cannot in good conscience move forward with the ceremony.”

“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,” she stated, without explaining which “atrocities” she had in mind.

Portman’s decision reeks of hypocrisy. She participates in festivals in countries that censor videos and whose human rights records are abysmal, thus holding Israel to a double standard, as Israel-haters often do.

Portman, through a representative, later issued a statement saying she “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.” The democratically elected Israeli prime minister was not mentioned in her original statement.

While she added that she is not part of the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanctions) movement, BDS activists are celebrating her decision as a victory.

Israel welcomes diverse and opposing opinions and supports free discourse. However, boycotts, a form of violence, and singling out the Jewish state for criticism are not acceptable.

Portman’s stand was indeed shocking, considering the fact that she has previously stood up for Israel against the BDS movement, such as when she protested efforts to boycott the Toronto International Film Festival’s Tel Aviv-themed event in 2009.

Portman said in her statement that the backlash has inspired her to make numerous contributions to charities in Israel, although she did not specify her choices.

We believe this is not enough. While it may not have been her intention, she has caused grave damage to Israel’s public image and offended many Israelis. We believe she owes Israel an apology.

Urge Portman to publicly apologize to the State of Israel and its citizens.