Hugh Laurie rejects ‘Zionist’ label after his tribute to Israeli Tehran producer sparks social media firestorm

JTA – British actor Hugh Laurie pushed back against being labelled a “Zionist” after facing a wave of online criticism for posting a tribute to the Israeli producer of the hit television show Tehran. 

“Dana Eden, who co-created and produced Tehran, died on Sunday, seemingly by her own hand,” Laurie, who played a nuclear inspector in the show’s third season, tweeted last week. “It’s a terrible thing. She was brilliant and funny, and an exceptional leader. Love and condolences to all who knew her.” 

The seemingly innocuous post eulogising Eden, 52, who was found dead while filming the latest season of the hit Apple TV+ series in Athens last week, quickly drew a volley of backlash on social media. 

“She was part of the occupation force’s propaganda arm,” wrote one user in response to Laurie’s post. “What a shame, didn’t expect you to be a closet Zionist.” Another wrote that Eden “creates propaganda for Israel so that they can kill kids more effectively. People should have no sympathy for her”. 

The award-winning series, which follows a young Israeli Mossad agent in Iran, was produced by the Israeli public broadcaster Kan and purchased by Apple TV+ in 2020 for roughly $20 million. Eden’s death, for which no cause has been announced, occurred during production of the show’s fourth season, which had already stalled following 7 October 2023. 

Laurie isn’t the first actor to spurn the “Zionist” label, as entertainers in recent years have increasingly faced pressure to declare their views on Israel. In December, Jewish actress Odessa A’zion pushed back on claims she was a Zionist after an image of her wearing an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) shirt as a teenager circulated online. 

On Friday, Laurie, who previously starred in the Emmy Award-winning medical drama House, shot back at the criticism. 

“Nothing I have ever said or done could lead a sane person to believe that I am a Zionist,” wrote Laurie in a post on X. “However.  If someone exults in the death of a friend of mine, yes, I will block them. If you wouldn’t do the same in my position, you can f—ck off too.” 

Laurie’s subsequent post also drew outcry, but this time from pro-Israel influencers who lamented the actor’s disavowal of the Zionist label, calling him “weak” and a “pathetic weasel” in replies. 

Freelance journalist Angela Epstein replied to Laurie’s post, writing, “Not Hugh Laurie as well. I thought he was one of the decent ones …” 

“G-d almighty, why does no one understand English anymore?” wrote Laurie in response to Epstein’s critique. “I have not spoken or written a word that would indicate pro or anti Zionism. That’s what those words mean. Blimey.”