Susan Sarandon says she is still losing acting roles over criticism of Israel

Susan Sarandon said Sunday that Hollywood agencies are still costing her acting work because of her criticism of Israel and the war in Gaza. She made the comments in Venice while presenting “The Echo Chamber,” which is in competition.

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Recently they took roles away from me again, because there are agencies telling people not to hire me. But that is how the power structure works.

The “Thelma & Louise” star left the UTA agency in November 2023 after controversial remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally. She later said she regretted those comments. “Recently they took roles away from me again, because there are agencies telling people not to hire me. But that is how the power structure works,” Sarandon said.

Sarandon said public understanding of the situation had changed, but she argued that strongly held views remained in the industry. “I think there have been changes in terms of understanding the situation in public opinion, but there are still deeply entrenched positions in my sector, defended by Zionists, who have not softened their views of me,” she said.

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I think there have been changes in terms of understanding the situation in public opinion, but there are still deeply entrenched positions in my sector, defended by Zionists, who have not softened their views of me.

“But I have my family, I have my people, and everything is fine,” the 79-year-old actor added at a news conference, drawing applause.

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But I have my family, I have my people, and everything is fine.

Despite the career setbacks, Sarandon said the public “narrative” around the Gaza conflict and U.S. support for Israel had “changed completely.” She said people were now aware of more information, particularly about U.S. financial and military support for Israel. Sarandon is among the prominent U.S. film-industry voices criticizing the war in Gaza, alongside Mark Ruffalo, Richard Gere and Joaquin Phoenix.

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changed completely