Israeli screenwriters guild chair brands Hollywood boycott pledge “deeply troubling”
The chairman of the Israeli screenwriters guild has branded a pact, signed by over 1,800 names in Hollywood, pledging not to work with film institutions in the country as “deeply troubling”.
A pledge launched by Film Workers for Palestine on September 8th gathered over 1,200 initial signatures from the likes of Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor, and Yorgos Lanthimos.
However, since then, the statement has attracted a further 600 names as signatories, including prominent names in the industry such as Emma Stone, Peter Sarsgaard, and Lily Gladstone.
At the time of releasing the statement, Film Workers for Palestine said in its pledge: “As film-makers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognise 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.”
Subsequently, in a statement made to The Guardian on September 9th, the chair of the Israeli screenwriters’ guild, Nadav Ben Simon, said, “Calls to boycott Israeli creators are deeply troubling. They do not advance the cause of peace. Instead, they harm precisely those who are committed to fostering dialogue and building bridges between peoples.”
He continued: “For decades, Israeli creators, artists, and storytellers – myself included – have devoted our work to reflecting the complexity of our reality,” then adding, “We have consistently given voice to Palestinian narratives, criticism of government policies, and the diverse perspectives that shape our society.”
The filmmaker noted that he and his colleagues have often worked with Palestinian filmmakers in order to foster a culture of “dialogue, mutual understanding, peace, and an end to violence.”
The current pledge from Film Workers for Palestine stipulates that signatories must not have their films distributed in Israel or attend events – such as film festivals – that are connected to the institutions of the country’s government.
