'I am not a Zionist' Hugh Laurie says after Israel producer tribute

British actor Hugh Laurie has defended his tribute to Israeli producer Dana Eden, saying he is "not a Zionist" and the mourning of his friend does not imply he is "pro or anti Zionism".

Laurie had written a message of condolences on his X page shortly after it was announced Eden was found dead in her Athens hotel room, whilst filming the third series of 'Tehran', an Israeli production that follows the story of an Israeli intelligence agent who is working to undermine Iran's nuclear programme.

"Dana Eden, who co-created and produced ‘Tehran’, died on Sunday, seemingly by her own hand. It’s a terrible thing. She was brilliant, and funny, and an exceptional leader. Love and condolences to all who knew her," he wrote.

Some people saw the message as also being sympathetic towards Israel, due to some perceiving the series she directed as having a strong pro-Israel bias about events in the Middle East.

Laurie sent an angry message on Sunday to his critics, but also said his condolences had no political undertones.

"Nothing I have ever said or done could lead a sane person to believe that I am a Zionist. However. If someone exults in the death of a friend of mine, yes I will block them. If you wouldn’t do the same in my position, you can fuck off too," he tweeted.

"God almighty, why does no one understand English any more? I have not spoken or written a word that would indicate pro or anti Zionism. That’s what those words mean. Blimey."

In the series, Laurie plays South African nuclear inspector Eric Peterson, who collaborates with Israel to spy on Iran's nuclear activities.

The series has been dubbed by some as "Zionist propaganda" by some, given that the premise of the series is that Iran is attempting to build a nuclear bomb.

The US is currently engaged in nuclear talks with Iran, whilst engaging in one of the biggest military build-ups in the Middle East in decades - viewed as a direct threat to Tehran.

Many believe that if the negotiations in Geneva fail, then the US will launch a series of strikes on Iran.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is purely peaceful, whilst Israel in particular has pushed the idea that it is working towards a bomb, carrying out air strikes and assassinations of figures linked to Iran's nuclear activities.