Benedict Cumberbatch severs business ties with Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mokhzani over leader’s anti-Semitic comments
- In an interview with BBC last October, Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad described Jews as ‘hook-nosed’ and blamed them for troubles in the Middle East
- Cumberbatch, who was alerted to the remarks by a reporter, quickly moved to disassociate himself with the incident
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s company has cut business ties with Mokhzani Mahathir over anti-Semitic remarks made by his father, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, local media reported.
In an interview with the BBC last October, Mahathir described Jews as “hook-nosed” and blamed them for troubles in the Middle East.
“If you are going to be truthful, the problem in the Middle East began with the creation of Israel. That is an old truth. But I cannot say that,” he said on BBC’s Hard Talk.
The 93-year-old politician – who in May last year became premier for the second time after his coalition claimed a shock election victory – also expressed scepticism over the number of Jews killed in the Holocaust, saying the figure was four million rather than six million.
Cumberbatch learned of the statements after a Daily Mail reporter contacted him for his response several days ago, Mokhzani told Malaysian website The Star Online.