– Zaina Aman
22 August 2024: In response to widespread criticism and a high-profile campaign, the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) has canceled the Israeli Film Festival scheduled for August 21 and 22 at the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai.
The festival was set to showcase Israeli films, but the event faced intense backlash from activists, actors, and public figures who argued that hosting it amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza was deeply inappropriate. The campaign, led by the India Palestine Solidarity Forum, garnered support from over a thousand individuals, including notable signatories such as actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak, freedom fighter GG Parikh, documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, and peace activist Tushar Gandhi.
In a joint statement, the campaigners condemned the festival, describing it as “shameful” and “immoral” given the current global awareness of alleged Israeli war crimes and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. They emphasized that the NFDC and NMIC’s decision to screen Israeli films was “unconscionable” and “a travesty of justice” considering the Indian government’s recognition of the Palestinian state.
The statement also referenced international legal perspectives, noting that both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court have identified alleged Israeli actions as genocidal. The ICC has reportedly considered issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes.
The NFDC’s decision to cancel the festival reflects the significant impact of public and activist pressure on cultural and institutional decisions related to sensitive global issues. The move highlights the intersection of arts and politics in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
