Emmy winner Julianna Margulies has issued an apology following a backlash to her comments linking the Black and LGBTQ communities with antisemitism.
In a statement to Deadline, she expressed horror at the offense her words caused, emphasizing, “I am horrified by the fact that statements I made on a recent podcast offended the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities, communities I truly love and respect.”
Margulies clarified her stance against all forms of prejudice, stating, “Racism, homophobia, sexism, or any prejudice against anyone’s personal beliefs or identity are abhorrent to me, full stop.” She acknowledged that her intention was not to create further division and offered a sincere apology.
The controversy stemmed from Margulies’ appearance on The Back Room with Andy Ostroy podcast, where she criticized support for Palestine and made contentious statements. She reacted to Ostroy’s comments about antisemitism in the U.S. by criticizing the focus on pronoun usage on college campuses over more serious issues.
Margulies also made controversial remarks about a “Black lesbian club” at Columbia University, suggesting they were discriminatory against Jews and expressed frustration over what she perceived as a lack of support from the Black community towards Jews, despite their historical alliance during the civil rights movement.
Margulies, known for her roles in “ER” and “The Good Wife,” recently produced a short documentary about Holocaust survivors. Her comments have sparked significant discussion about the intersection of racial, sexual, and religious identities and the complexities of societal support and prejudice.
