Maureen Lipman Rejects Colleague's Antisemitic Claims Over Israel Stance

British actress Dame Maureen Lipman has responded to her colleague Gerard McCarthy, who refused to share the stage with her in the play "Before I Go" by Stan Zimmerman. The premiere was scheduled for September 5. McCarthy cited Lipman's pro-Israel views as the reason for his refusal, stating he was uncomfortable interacting with her due to her "repeated public statements about Israel and Palestine." He emphasized that he chose to withdraw rather than seek her replacement.

Lipman labeled McCarthy a "virtue-signaling coward," asserting he lacked the courage to confront her directly about her beliefs. She sarcastically promised not to appear on stage with a Star of David on her forehead and stated she had no intention of debating him. "I am just a working woman of a certain age who believes the State of Israel has a right to exist," Lipman said. "I am an actress, not a politician. I can hardly influence Bibi Netanyahu, nor do I want to."

The 80-year-old Jewish actress voiced her support for Israel's right to self-defense. She also suggested that artists vocally supporting Palestine are, in reality, backing Hamas. Lipman further commented on the rise of antisemitism in Britain, which she believes is disguised as anti-Zionism.