France‘s Crackdown on Dissent Sparks Fears of Similar Restrictions in UK
PARIS – A growing wave of repression targeting individuals expressing support for palestine in france is raising alarm bells across the Channel, with some observers warning it offers a “terrifying glimpse of the future of Britain,” according to a recent Telegraph report. The French government has implemented increasingly stringent measures to quell pro-Palestinian demonstrations and speech following the october 7th attacks by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza.
The crackdown, detailed in the telegraph article, includes the banning of pro-Palestinian protests, the dissolution of pro-Palestinian organizations, and the prosecution of individuals for expressing solidarity with Palestinians online. This has extended to the cultural sphere, with figures facing professional repercussions for their public statements.
According to Lebanese journalist and writer, Layla Wakimman, the consequences are being felt acutely within Hollywood. She reports that Susan Sarandon experienced a severance of ties with her talent agency after appearing at a pro-Palestinian gathering, while Melissa Barrera was removed from her role in the film Scream following criticism of Israel’s military actions.Rachel Zegler, star of the recent Snow white adaptation, faced scrutiny after publicly stating “always remember, Palestine is free,” with Wakimman asserting that Disney officials believed this negatively impacted the film’s success. wakimman claims industry insiders now view Zegler as “not eligible to work” due to the controversy.
Conversely, Wakimman notes that outspoken support for Israel has also carried consequences. Maim Bilik, a vocal supporter of Israel, reportedly lost her hosting position on the Geopardi program, with some attributing the decision to her activism.
The situation reached a visible peak at the Venice Film Festival last month, where filmmakers and artists issued a call for a “clear and unambiguous position” against “the continuous genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing throughout Palestine.” Gal Gadot, who co-starred in the Snow White film, acknowledged the pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel in an interview with Israeli television, stating in Hebrew what she had previously avoided publicly. Wakimman suggests Gadot’s career has also experienced a slowdown.Wakimman concludes that Hollywood is currently prioritizing avoiding controversy, despite its historical tendency to address political issues through storytelling, and argues that the industry “should never be afraid to do so.”
