Natalie Portman accepts her kissing scene near Jerusalem's Western Wall was an unfortunate mistake.

The Israeli-born actress stirred up controversy last week by kissing actor Aki Avni while shooting for their new movie "Free Zone" near the holy prayer sitee.

Portman, Avni and the film's crew were escorted from the religious site by local police after Jewish bystanders took offence and started shouting at the pair.

In a statement, the "Closer" actress said: "I really don't want to offend anyone's beliefs or impose anything on anyone and it was a mistake to do it. As soon as it offended people, we moved.

"We had a very hectic work schedule, so we weren't thinking. We shouldn't have done it."