SUSAN Sarandon outraged the Jewish Voice for Peace group when she crossed its picket line to attend a cocktail party last month in the new Madison Avenue jewelry store of Lev Leviev, a diamond-dealing real-estate mogul who owns the former New York Times building and the Apthorp building on the Upper West Side.
Now the California-based grass-roots organization has sent the star a letter asking her to “publicly sever ties” with the jeweler, whom the group is boycotting because he supports Jewish settlements in the West Bank. But Sarandon’s rep denies she’s allied with the high-end gem dealer.
The picketers, who were there for the Leviev store launch in mid-November, stood on the sidewalk with Palestinian flags, shouting, “You’re glitz, you’re glam, you’re building on Palestinian land,” and, “Occupation is a drag, just say no to your gift bag.” A source told Page Six that Sarandon marched in and “tried not to notice the yells outside.”
Now the group has posted its letter to Sarandon on its Web site, demanding that the Oscar-winner join their boycott.
“As longtime admirers of your work on social justice issues and as Jewish activists, we promote a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict. We . . . call your attention to the crimes of Lev Leviev and to urge you to publicly sever all connections with him and his company,” it reads.
“Leviev is a very dangerous force not only in Israel. His real estate development projects have been roundly criticized for shoddy building, harsh treatment of workers and dangerous buildings and work sites.
“As Jews who yearn and work for a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis, we implore you to take a public stand against Leviev. Your recent public appearance with him makes it seem as if you support his efforts, and we’re certain this is not the impression you want to give.”
But Sarandon’s representative questioned whether the actress attending one Leviev event amounted to “ties,” and added, “She has no ties to any jewelry company.”
A spokeperson for Leviev said, “These protests are inaccurate in their charges against LEVIEV diamonds. LEVIEV is a rigorous supporter of the UN-mandated Kimberly Process concerning conflict-free diamonds and ensures that all gemstones – of all colors – are sourced through internationally recognized legal and ethical guidelines.”
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