SAM Heughan has apologised to fans for previously signing an open letter that condemned Israel for its attacks on Palestine in recent weeks.
The Scots actor expressed his regret in a statement issued last night after revealing that he had signed the open letter alongside more than 2,000 other artists, pleading with Israel for a ceasefire.
The 43-year-old signed the letter, written by Artists for Palestine UK, alongside fellow celebrities including Tilda Swinton, Miriam Margolyes and Steve Coogan.
However the Outlander star admitted that he didn’t “fully understand” the document’s intentions, adding that he is “appalled” by the actions of Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
The full letter reads: “We are witnessing a crime and a catastrophe. Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and cut off the supply of water, power, food and medicine to 2.3 million Palestinians.
“In the words of the UN’s undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, ‘the spectre of death’ is hanging over the territory. Gaza is already a society of refugees and the children of refugees.
“Now, in their hundreds of thousands, bombarded from air, sea and land, Palestinians whose grandparents were forced out of their homes at the barrel of a gun are again being told to flee – or face collective punishment on an unimaginable scale.
“Dispossessed of rights, described by Israel’s minister of defence as ‘human animals’, they have become people to whom almost anything can be done.
“Our governments are not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them. There will come a time when they are held to account for their complicity.
“But for now, while condemning every act of violence against civilians and every infringement of international law whoever perpetrates them, our obligation is to do all we can to bring an end to the unprecedented cruelty being inflicted on Gaza.
“We support the global movement against the destruction of Gaza and the mass displacement of the Palestinian people.
“We demand that our governments end their military and political support for Israel’s actions.
“We call for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of Gaza’s crossings to allow humanitarian aid to enter unhindered.”
In a social media post yesterday, Heughan wrote: “I inadvertently signed something that does not reflect my beliefs. I believed it was a simple call for peace. It wasn’t.
“I condemn violence in any form. I stand against terrorism and evil and am heartbroken and appalled by the recent horrific actions by Hamas. It’s haunting to the core, my heart goes out to all affected.
“I don’t know nearly enough and [I am] trying to educate myself on the conflicts in the Middle East. I feel helpless and wish I could help in some way.
“I pray for compassion, for all the innocent people affected. Peace and love to you all.”
The post received more than 5,300 likes and over 680 comments as fans shared their support for the Scot.
One person wrote: “You’re an honourable man. A man of integrity, Sam. The humanitarian inside you will always shine through.”
Another said: “You know your heart and your true fans know your compassion, as you show it to us consistently in the charity work you do.
“I’m sure you will find a way to help. That’s never been a challenge for you. We stand with you and those effected. Remember, you are allowed mistakes too.”
A third commented: “Peace is the most important thing. Fear is omnipresent in the current situation worldwide.”
A fourth added: “Oh, Sam. I feel for you. Honestly, I do, as you can’t even apologise without the haters coming forward.
“I have signed things in error too, nobody cared, life moved on. You make a mistake, you own it when most wouldn’t dream of it, and the haters still hate.
“Keep being you and don’t let this eat at you.”
The open letter currently has over 2,000 signatures and allegedly includes big names such as Tilda Swinton, Miriam Margolyes, Liam Cunningham and Steve Coogan.
