Full Breakdown
Helen Mirren Condemns Israel’s Treatment of Palestinians at Taormina Film Festival
6/13/2026, 1:28:54 PM
Mirren’s Public Condemnation of Israel at Taormina
On 11 June 2026, Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, receiving a lifetime-achievement award at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, said that evil forces are rising everywhere, even in Israel, and described the Israeli government’s actions toward Palestinians as crimes against humanity. Her remarks were the first public response to a viral video in which she was called an “evil Zionist” a year earlier.
Long-standing Ties to Israel and Prior Statements
Mirren first visited Israel in 1967, working on a kibbutz in the north. She later portrayed former prime minister Golda Meir in the 2023 biopic *Golda* and has affirmed belief in Israel’s right to exist, citing the Holocaust. In April 2023 she signed an open letter supporting Israel’s Eurovision participation. In November 2025 she and husband Taylor Hackford were filmed in London as a man shouted “evil Zionist b****” and accused her of celebrating the destruction of Palestinian homes.
Mirren’s Account and Police Decision
Mirren told journalists that the attacker was perhaps over-passionate or mentally unstable and that she was attacked by mistake. She added she does not know whether the man read anything online. The Metropolitan Police initially opened a hate-crime inquiry but closed the case after Mirren and Hackford declined to press charges. In a round-table with students, Mirren stressed that artists are not political animals and warned against censorship of artists, journalists and comedians.
Opposition and Hate-Crime Investigation
The attacker’s video, which circulated widely, portrayed Mirren as an avowed Zionist who was allegedly happy about the destruction of Palestinian homes. The incident was investigated as a possible antisemitic hate crime, reflecting the polarized reaction to her remarks on Israel’s policies.
Discrepancies in Police Findings
Police statements indicated a possible hate-crime investigation, yet no formal inquiry proceeded. Sources differ on the rationale for closing the case: one notes Mirren’s decision not to press charges, another cites the police assessment that the incident did not meet hate-crime criteria. No further details on the attacker’s identity or motives have been released.
Key Direct Quotes
- “Evil forces are rising everywhere, even in a country like Israel.” — Helen Mirren, Taormina Film Festival
- “How could you possibly repeat the actions of what was done to you as people to other people? Crimes against humanity, it’s called.” — Helen Mirren, Taormina Film Festival
- “Artists are not political animals. We’re not politicians, politicians are politicians. Artists are not politicians.” — Helen Mirren, student round-table, Taormina
- “The great thing about art for me is that it has to be broad. It has to incorporate the whole of humanity for all its beauty, all its evil, all its cruelty, all its love.” — Helen Mirren, student round-table, Taormina
Upcoming Award Ceremony and Future Commentary
Mirren will receive the lifetime-achievement award on Friday and has indicated she will continue speaking on the role of artists in political crises.
