Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr said her firing from her hit sitcom “Roseanne” was related to anti-Semitism.
Barr told The Jerusalem Post that the way she was treated by ABC after she sent a tweet that was deemed racist was unlike anything any other artist has experienced.
“I feel that what happened to me, a large part of it is antisemitism,” Barr told the Post. “I think it played a part—the fact that I was never allowed to explain what I meant—and what I meant was a commentary on Iran—so they purposely mischaracterized what I said and wouldn’t let me explain. And in haste they did something unprecedented that they’ve never done to any other artist. And at the base of that I think it’s because I am the most vocal person about Israel and BDS.”
Bob Iger of ABC called Valerie Jarrett to let her know that “ABC does not tolerate comments like those” made by Roseanne Barr. Gee, he never called President Donald J. Trump to apologize for the HORRIBLE statements made and said about me on ABC. Maybe I just didn’t get the call?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2018
She further explained how he views on Israel and being a pro-Israel American Jew led to the way she was treated by people who don’t hold favorable views of Israel.
“What I said was mischaracterized purposely and repeatedly, so they didn’t even know what I meant, but they wanted to shape it and they did – they said it was something racial when it was actually something political,” she said. “And I have never in my life done anything racist, and I think my career proves that. And they did it so quickly—to fire and label and slander my name. I think it had a lot to do with identifying with Israel.”
Barr is heading to Israel to speak with the main body of the Israeli government on Jan. 31 and will tour the country holding events. She will be accompanied by her friend and mentor, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.
Boteach thinks Barr’s punishment and public shaming was ridiculous compared to what happened to people in Hollywood in the last two years who were accused of much worse.
“She wrote one tweet, she apologized for it, she cried, she asked Valerie Jarett publicly for forgiveness, she humbled herself,” Boteach told the Post.
Roseanne earlier said she would come to Israel when “The Conners,” the show that ABC set up to replace the canceled “Roseanne,” premiered. She didn’t make it to Israel at that time but is still looking into staying in Israel long term.
“I’m going to be investigating staying there for a long period of time,” Barr told the Post, “But you know, things just got postponed for family matters and stuff like that.”
She is also considering renewing her political aspirations. In 2012 Barr ran for president of the United States. But if she settles in Israel, she may follow a similar path, or even something grander.
“I like politics, I’m very interested in it,” said Barr. “I’d have to be real serious to [run for prime minister], and so far I’m better running for queen—of Israel or the world.”
Snuggle up this weekend and binge season 10 of #Roseanne! You know you weren't going to be productive, anyway. pic.twitter.com/llT142nHuq
— Roseanne on ABC (@RoseanneOnABC) May 27, 2018
John Goodman, who played Roseanne Barr’s TV husband, misses her on the show, now rebranded without Roseanne as “The Conners.”
“It was really odd,” Goodman said on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” about not acting alongside Roseanne since her departure. “We used to have a lot of fun on the show, and I really missed her this year.”
