Jamie Foxx, a well-known actor, has apologized after an Instagram photo he uploaded on Friday sparked accusations of antisemitism. Foxx, who is presently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed medical condition, took to Instagram again on Saturday to express his apologies and clarify his intentions.

“They killed this dude named Jesus…,” Foxx wrote in the now-deleted post. What will they do to you?” This phrase sparked outrage because it appeared to allude to the contentious belief of “Jewish deicide,” which holds Jews eternally responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. According to the American Jewish Committee, the Catholic Church rejected this concept in 1965.

Foxx’s later Instagram apology was frank and unequivocal. He said that he wanted to “apologize to the Jewish community” for his choice of words, admitting that they had offended people. He also explained the background of the post, saying he felt “betrayed by a fake friend” who was the topic of his previous communication.

The celebrated actor stressed his dedication to promote love and understanding across all communities. Foxx ended his apology by reaffirming his support for the Jewish community and expressing true respect for everyone.

Foxx’s social media post drew even more attention because actress Jennifer Aniston was involved. Aniston had previously liked the contentious post, but she quickly apologized, assuring her fans that her actions were neither planned nor accidental. She stated unequivocally that she does not support any type of antisemitism.

This event occurs at a time when anti-Semitic abuse is on the rise. In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League reported over 3,600 acts of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault, the most since the organization began documenting such incidents in 1979.

Foxx’s condition is also intriguing, given his previous medical problems. The actor has been recovering from an undisclosed medical problem that landed him in the hospital in April. Despite the fact that he has remained largely out of the public glare during his recovery, his post and subsequent apology have garnered notice.

It’s important to note that Foxx’s apology and the attention it’s received are part of a larger social conversation about combating antisemitism and encouraging tolerance. The acts and reactions of public personalities to such situations can help to raise awareness and develop understanding.

As Jamie Foxx works to repair his public image, his apology serves as a reminder of the necessity of ethical communication and the ongoing efforts to resist hate speech in all its forms.