Prefer Jewish News on Google
Whoopi Goldberg forced to apologise for repeating false Holocaust claims
The famed actress and TV host doubled down on remarks she made earlier this year, saying the Holocaust 'wasn't originally' about race
Whoopi Goldberg has been forced to apologise for repeating inaccurate and offensive remarks about Nazis and the Holocaust.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Goldberg doubled down on her previous statement from earlier this year, saying the Holocaust “wasn’t originally” about race.
“Remember who they were killing first. They were not killing racial; they were killing physical. They were killing people they considered to be mentally defective. And then they made this decision,” Goldberg said, adding that she didn’t understand why Jews see themselves as a race.
“The oppressor is telling you what you are. Why are you believing them? They’re Nazis. Why believe what they’re saying?” she said after the reporter pushed back on her comment, saying the Nazis saw Jews as a race.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt issued a statement after the interview was published, saying: “Yet again, Whoopi Goldberg’s comments about the Holocaust and race are deeply offensive and incredibly ignorant. When she made similar comments earlier this year, we explained how the Nazi regime was inherently racist.
Yet again, #WhoopiGoldberg’s comments about the Holocaust and race are deeply offensive and incredibly ignorant. When she made similar comments earlier this year, we explained how the Nazi regime was inherently racist. ????Read on…
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) December 27, 2022
“Whoopi’s comments show a complete lack of awareness of the multiethnic, multiracial makeup of the Jewish community. She needs to apologise immediately and actually commit to educating herself on the true nature of antisemitism.”
Goldberg later apologised, saying it was never her “intention to appear as if I was doubling down on hurtful comments, especially after talking with and hearing people like rabbis and old and new friends weighing in.
“I’m still learning a lot and believe me, I heard everything everyone said to me. I believe that the Holocaust was about race, and I am still as sorry now as I was then that I upset, hurt and angered people.”
Goldberg was suspended from the the TV talkshow “The View” for two weeks in February, after making similar remarks.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
