Why Glenn Beck Is Standing Up for Actress Penelope Cruz After Her Anti-Israel Comments

Glenn Beck said Thursday that while he could not disagree more with actress Penelope Cruz, who recently signed an open letter accusing Israel of "genocide," he will fervently defend her right to speak.

"I read some very disturbing article on some Hollywood insider magazine where they were actually talking about putting Penelope Cruz on a Hollywood blacklist," Beck said on his radio program. "I can't disagree with her any more. ... She's standing up for Hamas. But I believe in more speech, not less, and those who have the courage to speak their minds give us the opportunity to question with boldness and find out what we really believe."

Penelope Cruz arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, March 2, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (AFP/Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez)

"Blacklists are wrong," Beck said flatly. "It was wrong in McCarthy era in the 1950s. It is wrong now. From global warming extremists calling for actual jail time for those saying, 'I don't believe you have this right,' to now Hollywood creating a blacklist for those who speak out in favor of Hamas. Penelope Cruz -- what she said this last weekend is wrong, dead wrong. But now Hollywood is talking about putting a blacklist together for her. I strongly oppose what Ms. Cruz said last weekend, but I strongly support ... her right to say it."

Beck said Americans know "not to go down the path of loyalty oaths and blacklists."

"When you start to silence others, especially in groups, it always ends in very bad places," Beck said. "While each of us have a choice as an individual on how to spend our time, our money, who to associate with, we must rise above the urge to destroy as the collective."

Beck said that though he firmly disagrees with Hollywood figures like Cruz, he will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with them today.

"Maybe it's just me, but I want to know where people actually stand," Beck concluded. "I actually believe in more speech, not less speech. I appreciate people like Penelope Cruz that actually have the courage to speak their minds, even though it's going to be unpopular. We should all seize the opportunity to question with boldness. ... She's giving us the opportunity to find out what we really believe in."

Complimentary Clip from TheBlaze TV

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