An Israeli politician has slammed Natalie Portman for not attending the Genesis Prize Ceremony in Jerusalem and called for her to be stripped of her citizenship.

The 36-year-old Black Swan actress had planned to venture to the Middle East in June to attend the event hosted by the Genesis Prize Foundation.

But the famous Israeli-American said 'recent events' meant she was not 'comfortable' taking part in the ceremony in Israel, where she was set to receive a $2million award.

Her decision came days after the European Union called for an official investigation into Israel's use of live ammunition against Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border.

She said recent developments were 'extremely distressing' to her and she could not 'in good conscience move forward with the ceremony'.

Israeli politician Oren Hazan (left) has slammed Natalie Portman (right) for her decision not to attend the Genesis Prize Ceremony in Jerusalem. She has cancelled her upcoming trip to Israel due to 'recent events'

Now politician Oren Hazan from the Likud party has branded it 'complete craziness' that she was awarded the prize in the first place.

He accused her of 'cynically' using her birthplace to further her career and said she had 'no real connection to the State' after leaving for the USA aged four.

'From the outset, the idea of granting the Genesis Prize to Natalie Portman was complete craziness,' he said, as reported in Israel National News.

'[She is] a Jewish Israeli, who on the one hand cynically uses her birthplace to advance her career and on the other is proud of the fact that she managed to avoid enlisting in the IDF.

'She's an actress, but she is unworthy of any honor in the State of Israel.

'Sweetness can come from strength: I call on Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) to rescind Portman's Israeli citizenship.

'She left Israel at age four, and has no real connection to the State.'

Portman at the 2017 Golden Globes with husband Benjamin Millepied. She said she was not 'comfortable' taking part in the ceremony, where she was set to receive a $2million award

The country's Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev added: 'I was very sorry to hear that Portman fell like a ripe fruit into the hands of BDS supporters.

'A Jewish actress, who was born in Israel, has joined those who see the miraculous success story of Israel's creation as a "story of darkness".'

The Gaza border has seen protests and clashes since March 30.

At least 34 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds wounded by Israeli fire since the protests began. There have been no Israeli casualties.

Israel says it only opens fire when necessary to stop damage to the fence, infiltrations and attempts at attacks.

It was announced back in November that Portman had won the 2018 Genesis Prize.

Known as the 'Jewish Nobel', it was launched in 2013 to recognise Jewish achievement and contributions to humanity.

Previous winners include media baron and politician Michael Bloomberg, musician Itzhak Perlman and actor Michael Douglas (pictured)

Previous winners include media baron and politician Michael Bloomberg, musician Itzhak Perlman and actor Michael Douglas.

The prize foundation said the event would be cancelled after Portman's refusal to attend.

It said in a statement: 'Ms. Portman is a highly accomplished actress, a committed social activist and a wonderful human being.

'The staff of the Foundation enjoyed getting to know her over the past six months, admires her humanity, and respects her right to publicly disagree with the policies of the government of Israel.

'However, we are very saddened that she has decided not to attend the Genesis Prize Ceremony in Jerusalem for political reasons.

'We fear that Ms. Portman’s decision will cause our philanthropic initiative to be politicized, something we have worked hard for the past five years to avoid.'

Portman's next big role is in Vox Lux playing the role of a rising pop star named Celeste.

It is not clear whether she will still receive the prize money.