Dame Maureen Lipman, known for her role as Evelyn Plummer in the popular ITV soap Coronation Street, has been offered security to protect her from anti-Semitic attacks. The 77-year-old actress expressed her surprise at the offer, stating, This is where we are now. Lipman criticized what she referred to as bleeding heartless liberals for their failure to condemn acts of violence. Another Jewish actress, Tracy-Ann Oberman, also revealed that extra security has been deployed for her touring version of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
ITV has stepped in to protect Dame Maureen Lipman as part of its duty-of-care protocol. A source within the channel stated, The well-being of all our cast and crew is of utmost importance. Everyone should feel safe to come to work, and Maureen has the full support of the entire Coronation Street family.
Dame Maureen voiced her opposition to a letter published by a group called Artists for Palestine UK, which accused Israel of war crimes without mentioning the attacks carried out by Hamas. In response, she questioned the justification for acts of violence and criticized the signatories of the letter for prioritizing the Palestinian cause over other oppressed people. She expressed her disappointment, saying, Shame. Shame. Shame on every one of you.
Dame Maureen is one of the 13,000 signatories of an October Declaration denouncing the recent surge in anti-Semitism and the Hamas attacks. The declaration also criticizes the BBC for not labeling Hamas as terrorists and calls on the police to take stronger action against those promoting terror in the UK.
The Community Security Trust (CST) has recorded a staggering 651% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the UK since Hamas launched its attack. Jewish schools have been forced to close, and Jewish people have endured horrific abuse. The open letter emphasizes that more Jews were killed in the recent atrocity than on any other day since the Holocaust and calls on the British state to do everything in its power to protect its Jewish citizens.
Dame Maureen Lipman attended a vigil for Israelis abducted by Hamas, describing the experience as incredibly painful. We must bring them home, she emphasized.
Dame Maureen, recognized for her handling of sensitive storylines, returned to Coronation Street in 2018. Prior to that, she portrayed Lillian Spencer, the relief manager of Rovers Return, in 2002. Neither Dame Maureen Lipman nor Coronation Street commented on the matter.
Meanwhile, within the Labour Party, tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict continue to escalate. Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his support for a crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and has urged ministers to address the gaps in the law that may have hindered stronger police action at a recent rally. However, around 23 councillors have resigned from the party in protest against Sir Keir’s stance on Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
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