Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe railed against circumcision in a string of Twitter posts last week, denouncing it as “barbaric,” before apologizing the next day.

The stream of tweets began June 9, in response to a query from an Australian follower. Though the tweets in question have since been deleted, news outlets reported that the actor wrote: “Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.”

Crowe then went on to address Jews directly. “Many Jewish friends, I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats but stop cutting yr babies,” Crowe tweeted.

On June 10, after newspapers and celebrity news sites around the world reported on his posts, Crowe apologized over Twitter.

“I have a deep and abiding love for all people of all nationalities, I’m very sorry that I have said things on here that have caused distress,” tweeted Crowe, who won an Academy Award for his role in the 2000 film “Gladiator.”

The flap began when Crowe tweeted, “Village, i know it’s hard to see beyond the circle of pain we build or circumstances dictate, but, on this day, make someone else smile ok?” One of his followers responded by punning, “Speaking of, my son is due soon. Do you think I should get him circumstanced?” That sparked Crowe’s Twitter tirade.

The actor’s Twitter comments come against the backdrop of heated public debate of a controversial San Francisco ballot initiative that would institute a ban on childhood circumcision if it is approved by voters in November. — jta