1,300+ Film Stars Pledge Boycott of Israeli Institutions

story

5 days ago

Above: Actor Wallace Shawn participating in a demonstration outside the White House in Washington, D.C., calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, on Oct. 16, 2023. Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Staff/Getty Images

story last updated 5 days ago

The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

This boycott represents a necessary moral stand against institutional complicity in documented human rights violations. The International Court of Justice has ruled there's a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, making it unconscionable for artists to remain silent while their work potentially whitewashes these crimes. Just as the cultural boycott helped end apartheid in South Africa, this targeted action against complicit institutions — not individuals — provides a non-violent tool to challenge deadly impunity.

Artists for Palestine Independent

Pro-Israel narrative

This move is deeply misguided, as it hinges on unfounded and inflammatory allegations of genocide that dangerously oversimplify and distort the realities of a decades-long, deeply complex conflict. Israel, like any sovereign nation, has not only the right but the obligation to defend its citizens against terrorism and relentless attacks from groups like Hamas. Equating Israel’s defensive actions with genocide is not only factually baseless — it is a reckless accusation that undermines legitimate discourse and inflames tensions rather than advancing peace or accountability.

Timesofisrael

Narrative C

The boycott fundamentally misunderstands Israeli cinema's role as a critical voice for Palestinian narratives and peace. Israeli filmmakers have been the primary storytellers showcasing Palestinian experiences and criticizing government policies through thousands of films and documentaries. This shortsighted campaign silences precisely the collaborative artistic efforts working toward dialogue and peace, undermining the very voices that promote understanding between communities.

The Jerusalem Post Timesofisrael