Britain's largest actor union Equity called Israel's treatment of Palestinians "disproportionate" and "horrible" last Thursday, prompting three Jewish actors to quit the organization.
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Equity said it condemned the "actions of the Israeli government in recent weeks, both for the behavior of its police in Jerusalem and for its strikes in Gaza." Elsewhere on its website, the union has referred to "Hamas terrorist activity."
Equity, is the largest British trade union for actors, singers, models, performers, directors, choreographers, designers, stage managers, and other creative workers.
Equity also defended the May 16 march in London to protest Israel's actions in Gaza without making reference to the anti-Semitic chants that were sung and the violence against British police.
The march had nothing to do with the Palestinians "and everything to do with the Jewish people," said Maureen Lipman, a well-known actress quoted by the London-based Jewish Chronicle. Lipman played the mother of the main protagonist in Roman Polanski's 2002 film, The Pianist.
The actress, who is Jewish, had been a member of Equity for 54 years but left the union following the statement. At least two other Jewish members have also left the union.
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Maureen Lipman added: "Thank you 'Equity' for the increase in anti-Semitism and your deep understanding of Israeli actions."
More than 100 anti-Semitic incidents have been recorded in the UK since hostilities between Israel and Hamas began on May 10.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
