*A coalition of over 1,200 film industry professionals, including prominent figures like Ava DuVernay, has vowed to boycott Israeli film institutions accused of complicity in “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
As Deadline reports, the pledge, organized by Film Workers for Palestine, was announced through an open letter shared on Instagram. The signatories include high-profile names such as Emma Stone, Peter Sarsgaard, Lily Gladstone, Elliot Page, Adam McKay, Javier Bardem, Susan Sarandon, and Tilda Swinton.
The boycott targets Israeli festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, and production companies deemed complicit in “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them.”
Drawing inspiration from the 1987 Filmmakers United Against Apartheid movement, the letter states, “Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions — including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies — that are implicated* in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
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In response, the Israeli Film and TV Producers Association condemned the boycott, arguing it targets the wrong group. “The signatories of this petition are targeting the wrong people,” the association stated, emphasizing that Israeli artists have long portrayed the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Palestinian perspectives.
The association highlighted its collaborations with Palestinian creators to promote peace through storytelling, asserting, “For decades, we Israeli artists, storytellers, and creators have been the primary voices allowing audiences to hear and witness the complexity of the conflict, including Palestinian narratives and criticism of Israeli state policies.”
The Israeli producers called the boycott “shortsighted,” warning that it undermines collaborative efforts to end violence. “We work with Palestinian creators, telling our shared stories and promoting peace and an end to violence through thousands of films, TV series, and documentaries. This call for a boycott is profoundly misguided,” their statement read.
They further pledged to continue using storytelling as a tool for dialogue, adding, “We will not allow this and will push back in our efforts to end violence and bring just peace to our region for the benefit of all.”
The Israeli Film and TV Producers Association urged the international community to recognize their commitment to peace, stating, “We call on the international community to recognize our commitment to dialogue, peace, and giving voice to all sides of this conflict. Our stories are tools for understanding and healing, and we will continue using them to help bring an end to violence.”
Read the full letter below.
As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.
The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful. Standing for equality, justice, and freedom for all people is a profound moral duty that none of us can ignore. So too, we must speak out now against the harm done to the Palestinian people.
We answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization, as well as to “do everything humanly possible” to end complicity in their oppression.
Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions—including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies—that are implicated* in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.
* Examples of complicity include whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them.
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