Famed actor Alec Baldwin caused a stir in New York City on Monday evening when he fiercely responded to a pro-Palestinian protester who asked him to condemn Israel. The 63-year-old was on his way to work when he encountered the activist and things quickly became heated.
It is unclear how Baldwin ended up interacting with the protester, but video footage captured the exchange that left onlookers stunned. As the protester put a phone in Baldwin’s face and asked, “You work in Hollywood. So do you condemn Israel?” the actor became visibly agitated.
“You ask stupid questions,” Baldwin retorted. “Ask me a smart question and I’ll answer your question.”
The encounter quickly escalated as the protester continued to press Baldwin for an answer. NYPD officers quickly intervened and carefully escorted the actor away before things got out of hand.
According to sources, Baldwin was on his way to work down the street when the confrontation occurred. A voice in the crowd can be heard shouting, “Who the f**k do you think you are?” and “Go f**k yourself.” But Baldwin was not backing down.
“Shut the f**k up,” he fired back. “Stop crying! Stop crying!”
At one point, the protester mentioned a recent tragedy and accused Baldwin of being responsible. “You did kill someone though, right? You’re a murderer!” the protester shouted, referencing the tragic 2021 on-set shooting of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
Despite the chaos, Baldwin managed to share his stance on the conflict. “I want peace for Gaza, though,” he stated amidst the commotion.
Pro-Palestinian protestor to actor Alec Baldwin “You work in Hollywood. So do you condemn Israel?” The antisemitism is dripping from the question. No wonder Baldwin lost his temper. pic.twitter.com/ERAcnTIBnB
— Heidi Bachram 🎗️ (@HeidiBachram) December 19, 2023
This isn’t the first time Baldwin has been vocal about his support for Palestine. In 2018, he tweeted his support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
The encounter on Monday night quickly gained attention on social media, with many questioning Baldwin’s reaction to the protester’s question. Some defended the actor, stating that he was simply trying to go to work and shouldn’t have been bothered. Others criticized his response, labeling it as aggressive and inappropriate.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has sparked passionate conversations and protests around the world, including in New York City. The recent surge in violence and casualties in Gaza has only heightened tensions and emotions.
As for Baldwin, the actor’s outburst has prompted discussions about the responsibility of celebrities to use their platform to address important issues and whether or not their personal opinions should be entwined with their public persona.
As of now, Baldwin has not publicly addressed the incident, and it remains to be seen how this encounter will affect his public image.
