He may be yet to visit the Jewish state, but Woodey Allen has spoken out strongly against some of Israel’s critics.

In an interview in France by Israel’s Channel 2 on Monday to promote the European release of Blue Jasmine, the filmmaker was asked if it is difficult being a Jew in the US these days.

“By the low standards of tolerance for Jews all over the world, America’s been a very tolerant country. I do feel there are many people that disguise their negative feelings toward Jews, disguise it as anti-Israel criticism, political criticism, when in fact what they really mean is that they don’t like Jews,” he said, according to the Times of Israel.