London: More than 1,300 artists, including leading actors and filmmakers, have pledged to boycott Israeli film institutions accused of complicity in abuses against Palestinians. The signatories include Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner.
The pledge, released on Monday, denounced what it called the “unrelenting horror” in Gaza, where Israel’s war has killed over 64,000 Palestinians and destroyed most of the territory. The statement said the boycott targets Israeli festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, and production companies involved in “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid” or partnering with the Israeli government.
Citing rulings from the International Court of Justice, the artists highlighted findings that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is illegal and that the genocide charge is plausible. They drew inspiration from the Filmmakers United Against Apartheid movement, which resisted cultural collaboration with apartheid South Africa.
Palestinian advocates have long urged celebrities to use their influence to highlight the crisis. Lerner described the boycott as a “non-violent tool” to challenge Israel’s impunity. He urged artists to use their platforms to support global resistance to oppression.
The film industry has seen growing voices against Israel’s policies despite risks to careers. Actor Susan Sarandon lost her agency contract in 2023 after joining a Palestine rally, while Melissa Barrera was dropped from the Scream franchise for her criticism of Israel. Still, films like *No Other Land*, which won an Oscar in March, and *The Voice of Hind Rajab*, which received a long ovation at Venice, show increasing attention to Palestinian stories.
