Israeli Actor Yuval โฃBronz Detained Following Ophir Awards Ceremony, Faces Terrorism Incitement Probe
Yuval Bronz, star of the award-winning film “Yes,” was recently arrested by โIsraeli police shortly โafter attendingโค the Ophir Awards, Israel’s equivalent ofโข theโข Oscars. The arrest stems from a poem he wrote, with authorities suspecting incitement โto commit an โคact of terrorism. Bronz, who has described himself as a “subversive artist” at โodds with the Israeli government for the past 14 years, was released on bail but is required to appear before a judge.
The timing of the arrest has raised concerns, with Bronz suggesting the right-wing government was “embarrassed” byโ the Ophir Awards ceremony and the win for “Yes,” a film โcentered on a Palestinian child. “It was a very strange timing because we had this ceremony and a few hoursโข after it, I was โขtaken by the police,” he stated. “Yes” also received several technical โawards at theโฃ Ophirs.
the Ophir Awards ceremony itself was marked by political statements, with numerous winners using the platform to callโฃ for an end to the war in Gaza. Many wore black t-shirts bearing anti-war messages, including โฃ”aโค child is a child is a child,” while others displayed images of hostages.
The incident comes as โIsrael’sโค Culture Minister Zohar announced the creation โof aโค government-backed “Israeli State Oscar Ceremony” intended โคto replace theโฃ Ophir Awards, which he claims has become a platform for “extremist and โขdelusional voices” that “harm the fabric of Israeli society.”
Simultaneously occurring, the Israeli film industry is facing increasing internationalโ pressure, including a boycott petition signed by nearly 4,000 entertainment industry figures – including Emma Stone and joaquin Phoenix – alleging complicity in “war crimes” in Gaza.
Despite the escalating tensions, Bronz highlighted the collaborative nature of the Israeli and Palestinian film communities. “It’sโ pretty amazing.It’s โlikeโฃ a utopia or โคimaginary worldโ where peace can happen,” he said.
“Yes,” which premiered at Cannes’ Directorsโข Fortnight,opened in France on Wednesday.
