The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into a resurfaced video depicting a man verbally abusing acclaimed actress Dame Helen Mirren. The clip, which has been widely circulated online, shows the man accosting Dame Helen on a street in London, using antisemitic language and making highly offensive accusations. The incident is reported to have taken place in 2023 but has only recently gained significant public attention following its re-emergence.
In the video, the man can be heard calling Dame Helen a 'Zionist bitch' and accusing her of supporting 'genocide'. The context of these accusations appears to relate to Dame Helen's previously stated support for Israel. In 2015, she visited the country to promote her film 'Woman in Gold' and spoke positively about her experiences there, stating she was a 'great admirer of Israel'. This stance has drawn criticism from some anti-Israel activists.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they are aware of the video and are investigating the incident. The force stated that they take all reports of hate crime seriously and are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the event. The identity of the man in the video has not yet been publicly confirmed by the police, nor have any arrests been made at the time of reporting.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across social media and from various public figures, highlighting concerns about the rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK. Data from organisations like the Community Security Trust (CST) has consistently shown an increase in antisemitic hate crimes, particularly following geopolitical events in the Middle East. This case underscores the challenges faced by public figures and ordinary citizens alike when confronted with such abuse.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the broader societal issue of public harassment and the proliferation of hate speech, particularly online. The police investigation will aim to determine whether any criminal offences, including hate speech or public order offences, were committed. The outcome of this inquiry will be closely watched by those concerned about freedom of expression versus the protection of individuals from abusive and discriminatory behaviour.