Hollywood Stars Commit to Boycott Israeli Film Institutions in Support of Gaza

In a historic move reflecting the rising global anger towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, more than 1800 actors, artists, and producers, including major stars in Hollywood, have signed a pledge to refrain from working with Israeli film institutions they believe are involved in "serious violations" against Palestinians.

This pledge came yesterday, Monday, amid increasing calls to boycott companies linked to the Israeli government, due to the violent Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip which has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with painful scenes of Palestinians, including children, suffering from hunger and destruction.

The pledge explained that the idea is inspired by the "Filmmakers United Against Apartheid" movement, which refused to screen its films in South Africa during the apartheid regime.

"We pledge not to screen films or appear in or work with Israeli film institutions _including festivals, cinemas, broadcasting institutions, and production companies_ that participate in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people."

The signatories added that this pledge does not call for a boycott of individual Israelis, but targets only the institutions that support or justify Israeli violations of human rights.

They also noted that Israeli film institutions contribute to "masking or justifying" these violations.

The pledge is also based on the International Court of Justice ruling last year which deemed the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, in addition to assessments by human rights experts and researchers who described the Israeli assault on Gaza as amounting to genocide.

Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Riz Ahmed, Javier Bardem, and Cynthia Nixon.

The Israeli government has rejected these calls, describing them as "discriminatory," asserting that its operations in Gaza are "self-defense" following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

It is noted that the Israeli attack followed by intense bombing of Gaza resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, complete displacement of the sector's residents, and exacerbation of the hunger crisis there.

In a related context, the film « The Voice of Hind Rajab », which tells the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, received significant acclaim at the Venice Film Festival last week, produced by stars Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.