Israel-hating actress Miriam Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, continues to sprout off against Israel.
Actress Miriam Margolyes has said there has been a “troubling backlash” against Jewish people following the recent conflict in Gaza.
The star, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, criticised Israel for “allowing people” to vent prejudice against Jews – who she claimed: “I don’t think people like”.
Margolyes grew up in a Jewish household in Oxford with parents who are descendants of immigrants from Belarus.
The 73-year-old told Radio Times magazine: “I loathe Hamas, but they were democratically elected and Israel’s behaviour is not acceptable. There’s been a troubling backlash.”
The actress said: “I don’t think people like Jews. They never have. English literature, my great love, is full of greasy and treacherous Jews.
“I’m lucky they like me, and one always needs a Jewish accountant. Anti-Semitism is horrible and can’t be defended, but Israel is stupid for allowing people to vent it.”
While the Jerusalem Post is leading with the headline Harry Potter actress: Israel’s ‘stupid’ actions causing anti-Semitism, I do not think that is exactly what she is saying. She acknowledges antisemitism exists because people do not like Jews, but claims because of Israel, the antisemites feel more comfortable expressing their antisemitism openly.
Ironically, it is Jews like Margolyes who are making it easier for the antisemites.
Many who attack Israel really are antisemitic, and they are able to hide behind the veneer of “anti-Zionism” (which is, in essence,being opposed to the Jews’ aspirations to live in their historical homeland). When they let down their guards and are (rightly) accused of antisemitism, they can point to Jews like Margolyes and advance the argument “How can we be antisemitic if Jews agree with us?”
Meanwhile, I am going to repost Barry “Dame Edna” Humphries fantastic dig at Margolyes a few years back. For no other reason than it is quite awesome.
Update: According to reader Dale, this morning on 774 ABC Melbourne radio’s John Faine conversation hour, Margoyles said that Israel should not exist. I will post the audio once it becomes available.
