American actor Whoopi Goldberg has apologised after causing controversy with remarks about the Holocaust on the US TV show, The View.
Ms. Goldberg was handed a two-week suspension by ABC for her comments.
The comedienne and her fellow panellists were discussing the decision of a Tennessee school district to ban the acclaimed graphic novel Maus from classrooms.
Goldberg said: "Let's be truthful, the Holocaust isn't about race, it's not."
"It's about man's inhumanity to man, that's what it's about. These are two groups of white people...you're missing the point... let's talk about it for what it really is. It's about how people treat each other.
"It's a problem. It doesn't matter if you're black or white, Jews...everybody eats each other."
Sparks fly as The View panel confronts Whoopi after she says "the Holocaust isn't about race. No. It's not about race." "Well, the considered Jews a different race," Joy Behar says.
"But it's about white supremacy. It's about going after Jews and Gypsies," Ana Navarro adds. pic.twitter.com/GZwZSi2qXi
Her statements drew criticism from prominent Antisemitism campaigners including Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the ADL. He said on Twitter: "No @WhoopiGoldberg, the Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people – who they deemed to be an inferior race.
"They dehumanized them and used this racist propaganda to justify slaughtering 6 million Jews. Holocaust distortion is dangerous."
No @WhoopiGoldberg, the #Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people – who they deemed to be an inferior race. They dehumanized them and used this racist propaganda to justify slaughtering 6 million Jews. Holocaust distortion is dangerous. #ENOUGHhttps://t.co/koS1kuspqV
Ms. Goldberg later issued a statement apologising for her remarks after further community backlash. She said:" On today's show, I said the Holocaust "is not about race, but about man's inhumanity to man." I should have said it is about both.
"The Jewish people around the world have always had my support and that will never waiver. I'm sorry for the hurt I have caused."
Ms. Goldberg has previously spoken about the affinity she feels with the Jewish people, telling the audience at a charity event in 2011: "I just know I am Jewish. I practise nothing. I don't go to temple, but I do remember the holidays. Religion is a lot of work, it's exhausting. So I keep it simple, I have a pretty good relationship with God. We talk."
