UK police have confirmed that they are attempting to contact Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren and reviewing video footage that appears to show her being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse. The incident, which London's Metropolitan Police believes occurred last year in the British capital, has been circulating online.
Details of the Incident
The footage shows Mirren and her husband, filmmaker Taylor Hackford, being approached by an individual recording with a camera. The individual calls Mirren an 'evil Zionist' followed by an expletive, alleging that she 'was very happy that Palestinians' houses were gone.' The confrontation took place while the couple was crossing the street on a night out.
A police spokesperson stated: 'We are aware of a video circulating online, showing a man and a woman being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse. Officers are currently reviewing the footage and making attempts to contact the victims to establish whether they would like to report the incident.'
Background of the Video
The clip, which has been widely circulated on X, shows the unidentified man walking up to the Oscar-winning actress and shouting from behind the camera. He accuses her of saying Israel should last forever because of the Holocaust and being happy that Palestinians' houses were gone. The man then says, 'You put the post up. You're an evil Zionist b****,' before walking away.
While the exact date of the recording remains unclear, The Times has reported that the footage is believed to be older and was originally shared in November.
Police Response and Context
The Metropolitan Police noted that it has made more than 90 hate crime arrests since the end of March, amid a spike in antisemitic incidents in Britain in recent years, coinciding with escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism group has condemned the 'appalling' abuse Mirren faced, branding the perpetrator a 'pro-Palestine thug.' The group emphasized the need to address rising antisemitism in the UK.
