Over 1,300 Artists Pledge to Boycott Israeli Film Institutions Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
More than 1,300 artists, including prominent Hollywood figures, have vowed to sever ties with Israeli film institutions accused of complicity in violations against Palestinians, as Israel’s war on Gaza continues into its 23rd month, reports 24brussels.
This initiative, announced on September 8, features notable names such as Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, and Javier Bardem. Their collective statement denounces what they describe as the “unrelenting horror” in Gaza, where Israeli military actions have claimed the lives of over 64,000 Palestinians and devastated much of the enclave.
“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at, or otherwise engage with Israeli film institutions—including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, and production companies—that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the declaration states.
The signatories characterize complicity as “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them.” They also referenced findings by the International Court of Justice, indicating that the case against Israel regarding genocide is legally plausible while reaffirming the illegality of the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Human rights organizations, academics, and UN experts have consistently accused Israel of committing acts that constitute genocide, recognized as one of the gravest war crimes under United Nations definitions, characterized by acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner hailed the initiative as a “non-violent tool” to confront impunity. “It is the responsibility of every independently minded artist to use whatever powers of expression they possess to support the global resistance to overcome this horror,” he remarked.
This boycott signifies a notable shift within an industry historically known for maintaining pro-Israel narratives. Hollywood previously produced films like the 1960 feature Exodus, which glorified the founding of Israel. However, in recent years, actors and directors have begun openly criticizing Israeli policies, often facing significant professional repercussions.
In 2023, Susan Sarandon, a signatory of the current pledge, was dropped by her talent agency following her participation in a Palestine solidarity rally. Similarly, actress Melissa Barrera lost her role in the Scream franchise after posting comments critical of Israel on social media.
At the same time, Palestinian narratives have started to gain increased visibility within the film industry. In March, the Israeli-Palestinian co-production No Other Land, which documents the destruction of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In September, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which recounts the final moments of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, received a 23-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
The collective statement from the artists concluded: “As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.”
This coordinated action adds cultural weight to growing calls for accountability, as artists leverage their influence to challenge Israel’s actions in Gaza and elevate Palestinian voices on the global stage.