Joy Behar is facing a backlash after expressing fears on social media that Russia's invasion of Ukraine would affect her plans to vacation in Italy.
Tanks are shown rolling in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Friday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday the launch of a "special military operation" in the neighboring country.
And as Behr, 79, discussed the escalating crisis during Thursday's installment of ABC's The View, she admitted she was "afraid of what was going to happen in Western Europe"—particularly because it affected her travel plans. is related to.
View moderator, Whoopi Goldberg, 66, began the discussion by describing the situation in Ukraine as "so hopeless": "People in Russia, they don't want this war. [Putin] wants it because he's trying to stop." Is. ."
Echoing the humanitarian cost of the conflict, co-host Sonny Hostin, 53, said: "What I thought was that there were estimates that 50,000 Ukrainians would be killed or injured and that this is going to start a humanitarian crisis, a The refugee crisis in Europe.
"We're talking about 5 million people who are going to be displaced. I mean, it's heartbreaking to hear what's going to happen."
Behr, who is of Italian descent, then spoke of her plans to move to Italy - which is more than 1,000 miles from the conflict - saying: "Well, I fear what will happen in Western Europe as well. You know, you plan a trip, you want to go there.
"[I wanted] to go to Italy for four years. I couldn't make it because of the pandemic—and now this. It's like, what's going to happen there too?"
A clip of Behr's comments, which can be seen at the top of this article, was shared on Twitter, where it was widely ridiculed. The video has been viewed more than 3 million times so far.
Barstool Sports blogger Kevin Clancy tweeted, "The pandemic around the world and the real fear of Russia invading Ukraine? Joy Behar hasn't been able to travel to Italy." "Thoughts and prayers for happiness. We hope she makes it through this tragedy."
The true horror of the worldwide pandemic and Russia invading Ukraine? Joy Behar hasn’t been able to take her trip to Italy. Thoughts and Prayers for Joy. We hope she makes it through this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/UYM1Q0C5nU
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) February 25, 2022
Podcast host Liz Wheeler wrote in response to the second-long clip: "I really can't believe Joy Behar said this."
Responding to Wheeler's tweet, New York Post and Fox News columnist Karol Markowicz commented: "Did Putin even stop to think about how his invasion would affect Joy Behar's trip to Italy?"
Did Putin even stop to think how his invasion would affect Joy Behar’s trip to Italy? https://t.co/957HDmgaF0
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) February 24, 2022
Another Twitter user said, "You have to respect Joy Behar's unwavering commitment to making sure the Boomers are the most hated generation." "Please send your thoughts and prayers to Joy during this difficult time."
Newsweek has reached out to a representative from Bihar for comment.
Elsewhere in a discussion on The View on Thursday, Behar also called for a pro-Putin stance by several conservative commentators.
"Doesn't it scare you that right-wing people in this country are on Putin's side?" Bihar asked. "What are they doing, making a lot of money out there spreading these lies?"
"There is a parallel to the rebellion," Hostin replied, referring to last year's Capitol riots. "People thought they could just take elections and I think that's why you see so many people on the right that it's okay. It's the downfall of our democracy in the world."
"We all have to keep in mind that what happens on the planet affects all of us," Goldberg said. "It starts with a little land grab and who knows where it's going to stop. The whole world is behind [Putin]. It's not just us doing it. It's the whole world saying stop."
Goldberg returned to The View on February 14, when he was placed on a two-week suspension from the show for saying during a discussion that the Holocaust was not about race, but "two groups of white people".
During the Holocaust, 6 million Jews were massacred by the Nazis in the 1940s, who declared themselves to be part of a superior "Aryan" race.
The Oscar-winning screen star apologized for her comments, although ABC News president Kim Godwin later announced she was suspended "to take time to think about and learn about the impact of her comments".