Susan Sarandon says she’s losing roles over Palestine support: “Agencies are telling people not to hire me”

Susan Sarandon has said she has lost roles over her support for Palestine. The Oscar-winning actress has been vocal in her support over the years, and was dropped by her agency UTA in the wake of comments she made at one rally following the October 7 attacks in 2023. “There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country,” she said at the time, and later apologised for the remarks. Speaking at the Venice Film Festival while promoting the new film The Echo Chamber, she claimed at a press conference (via Variety) that agencies have told others not to hire her. “I think that the narrative has completely changed in terms of historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of Zionists with America and our politics,” Sarandon said. “That has been a major revelation for people. How much money the United States gives to Israel, nobody really understood that. “I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still. But that’s the power structure. I think within the people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.” The star added that she wanted to “thank” The Echo Chamber director Andrea Pallaoro as “he doesn’t listen to the warnings”.Recommended “There has been a change in terms of the general public, but there are still positions in my industry that are held by Zionists who have not relaxed their feelings towards me,” she added. “But I found my family, I found my people and I’m OK.” It echoes previous comments by the actress earlier this year, when she said she was blacklisted by Hollywood over her stance. “I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire, and it became impossible for me to even be on television,” Sarandon said at the Goya Awards. “I don’t know lately if it’s changed, but, I couldn’t do any major film, anything connected with Hollywood.” She added: “An Italian director just hired me, but he was told not to hire me. So, right now I kind of specialise in tiny, independent films with directors who have never directed before, and films that are in Europe or in Italy. So, that’s the main reason I haven’t been working as much.” Many celebrities have been outspoken in their support for Palestine, with Sleaford Mods announcing today (September 7) that they will be headlining a ‘Gig For Gaza’ at London’s Troxy, with Baxter Dury among the other artists on the line-up. Proceeds from the show will be donated to Gaza Forever UK and Medical Aid for Palestinians. Meanwhile, rapper Macklemore is facing a petition to be removed from the line-up of Ed Sheeran’s current ‘Loop’ tour after he made a “Free Palestine” plea on stage. In a speech, he said he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know “they have not been forgotten” and that “I believe that every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom”. “I say Free Palestine, free Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran and all the people of America who live in fear because of this terrorist organisation ICE,” Macklemore added, before playing pro-Palestine track ‘Hind’s Hall’ and footage of Gaza onscreen.