Actor Kevin Spacey’s visit to Israel triggers backlash for being ‘in bad taste’

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey’s 1 December visit to Israel and the boundary of occupied Palestinian territory has sparked widespread backlash online, with Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the actor’s controversial history of alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour and former charges of sexual assault coming back to the fore. 

The Oscar-winning actor was seen in Israel near the frontier with Gaza, according to photos shared on social media on Monday by Libby Alon, chief international news editor for Now14Israel.

Multiple news outlets reported that Spacey was there to visit a friend’s daughter, who is serving in the Israeli army. They toured communities impacted by the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. Spacey also had a “surprise meeting” with Ayala Levinstein, a soldier from the US serving in the Israeli army.

British journalist Douglas Murray - who makes regular trips to the country - accompanied Spacey on the visit.

Read more: Actor Kevin Spacey’s visit to Israel triggers backlash for being ‘in bad taste’