Hollywood Stars Amplify Boycott of Israeli Film Industry Amid gaza Conflict
A growing number of international film stars are joining a boycott of the Israeli film industry, protesting its perceived complicity with the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The initiative, responding to calls from Palestinian filmmakers, has rapidly gained traction, more than doubling its signatory count to 3,900 within two days.
The statement initiating the boycott alleges that Israeli film institutions are complicit if they “whitewash or justify genocide and apartheid and/or collaborate with the government that perpetrates them,” specifically citing the Jerusalem film Festival. It further asserts that the majority of Israeli production companies have not supported full Palestinian rights as recognized internationally.
Among the newly added high-profile names are Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Palm winners including Joaquin Phoenix, nicolas Cauchon ( Bridgerton), Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live), Guy Pearce, Jonathan Glazer, avon Moss-Bekharach (The Bear), Abbi jacobson (Broad city), Eric André, Elliot page, and Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon). Phoenix recently wore pins supporting Palestine at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Hind Rajab’s Voice, a drama he executive produced.
The boycott cites the International Court of Justice’s assessment of a “reasonable risk of genocide in gaza” and deems Israel‘s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians illegal. “Upholding equality, justice and freedom for all humans is a profound moral duty that none of us can ignore,” the statement reads.
The movement draws inspiration from Filmmakers United Against apartheid, a 1980s campaign against South Africa’s apartheid regime led by director Jonathan Demme.
Despite the boycott, films featuring signees – including Rose Against Rose starring olivia Colman and The Fantastic Four starring Moss-Bekharach – continue to screen in Israeli cinemas.
