That didn’t take long.
Earlier this week, Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz joined several Spanish entertainment celebrities in co-writing an open letter condemning the Jewish state for its “occupation” of the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to Israel’s ongoing blockade. Now Cruz is walking back her comments. A message from Cruz to USA Today states:
I’m not an expert on the situation and I’m aware of the complexity of it. My only wish and intention in signing that group letter is the hope that there will be peace in both Israel and Gaza. I am hopeful all parties can agree to a cease fire and there are no more innocent victims on either side of the border. I wish for unity, and peace. . . . I believe in a civilization that can be capable of bringing the courage to have a world where humans can live side by side.
The other signers — and Cruz’s husband, Javier Bardem, who penned a separate letter accusing Israel of “genocide” — are standing by their comments.
Cruz’s is not the fastest retraction of pro-Palestinian comments. NBA star Dwight Howard hastily rescinded his “#FreePalestine” tweet earlier this month, as did singer Rihanna. It took the latter only eight minutes.