Coronation Street star Maureen Lipman criticized Miriam Margolyes, referring to her as a “shock jock” and “self-publicist” for her comments on Palestine. Miriam, known for her role in Harry Potter, made controversial statements about Israeli forces and the government, which Maureen disapproved of.
Maureen, 79, targeted Miriam in her column, contrasting her with another unnamed Jewish actress who also criticized the Israeli Defense Forces but in a more thoughtful manner. Maureen emphasized the differing approaches to addressing the situation in Palestine between the two actresses.
The feud escalated when Miriam’s interview in the Big Issue surfaced, where she drew parallels between the actions of Israeli forces and the Holocaust. Maureen, in her column in The Spectator, labeled Miriam as a sensationalist seeking attention with her comparisons of Israelis to Nazis and the Gaza conflict to the Holocaust.
Miriam responded by sharing Maureen’s criticism on her Facebook page, with the situation drawing attention from anti-Semitism campaigners. Miriam clarified her stance, stating her concern for both Israel and the Palestinian people, emphasizing that her criticism is directed at Israel’s actions, not Jews in general.
Despite being honored with an OBE for her contributions to drama, Miriam faced backlash, with calls for her to be stripped of the title. The Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned her statements as “repugnant” and announced plans to request the removal of Miriam’s titles from the Honours Forfeiture Committee and BAFTA.
The ongoing dispute between the actresses has sparked debate and divided opinions within the entertainment industry, with both supporters and critics expressing their views on the matter.