UK police reviewing anti-Semitic abuse of Helen Mirren

UK police are “reviewing footage” showing Helen Mirren being called an “evil Zionist bitch” by a man in London.

Images showing the Oscar-winning actor walking on a street in Tower Hill with his wife, American film director Taylor Hackford, began to circulate on social media.

In the video, shot last year, the 80-year-old man is seen smiling, greeting the man filming and asking if he is okay.

But he can then be heard swearing at Mirren about her support for Israel.

In the footage, the man said: “There is also Helen Mirren, who openly says that she is a Zionist. You said that Israel should exist forever because of the Holocaust. She was also very happy that the Palestinians’ homes were destroyed.”

“You’re a bad Zionist bitch. And you (Hackford), fuck you too.”

Dame Helen’s husband then stepped in and told the man several times to “fuck off” and leave them alone.

The clip was first published by an anonymous account called Anti-Fascist Action UK.

Police said they were trying to contact Mirren to see if she wanted to formally report the incident.

In a statement, a Met spokesman said: “We are aware of a video circulating online showing a man and a woman being subjected to anti-Semitic verbal abuse in Tower Hill.

“The incident is believed to have occurred late last year.

“Officers are currently reviewing the footage and attempting to contact the victims to determine if they wish to report the incident.”

Mirren, who is not Jewish, has long been a vocal advocate for Israel and last month signed an open letter alongside Boy George and Sharon Osbourne in which she pledged support for the country’s entry into the Eurovision Song Contest.

She has portrayed many prominent Jewish figures throughout her career, including Maria Altmann in Woman In Gold and former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir in the 2023 film Golda.

Introducing Golda, he said: “I believe in Israel, in the existence of Israel, and I believe that Israel must forever move forward into the future. I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.”

Mirren first visited Israel in 1967, shortly after the Six-Day War, where she volunteered at Kibbutz HaOn near the Sea of ​​Galilee.

She had previously criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not liking his “male” leadership style.