Over 4,500 Global Film Professionals Launch Cultural Boycott Campaign
More than 4,500 film professionals from around the world, including Tunisians Dhafer El Abidine, Amira Chebli, and Kaouther Ben Hania, have launched a massive cultural boycott campaign. This initiative targets institutions linked to the Israeli occupation, accused of complicity in genocide and apartheid crimes against the Palestinian people.
In an exclusive statement to the Tunisian news agency TAP, Tunisian actor Dhafer El Abidine expressed his full support for this initiative, stating that the cultural boycott of institutions linked to the Zionist occupation is a moral responsibility and an honor for every artist.
Key Points of the Campaign
- The campaign aims to boycott festivals, cinemas, television channels, and production companies linked to the Israeli occupation or benefiting from its policies.
- The Jerusalem Film Festival is cited as a prime example, being directly supported by the occupation government and described as "one of the cultural facades that contribute to justifying its policies."
- The campaign draws inspiration from the 1980s, when prominent directors like Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme launched the "Filmmakers United Against Apartheid" campaign to boycott South Africa, contributing to the isolation of the racist regime.
El Abidine emphasized that everyone can express their position in the way that seems most appropriate to them, whether through their work, voice, or presence. He added that the current movement is a "global action that is constantly expanding, which is very important because it proves that human consciousness is capable of transcending borders to defend just causes."
The Role of Artists in the Campaign
El Abidine also stated that his participation in this movement is a duty and an opportunity not to be missed. He specified that "art can be an effective means of amplifying the voices of the oppressed, and it is the responsibility of artists to use their platforms to express their rejection of injustice and support for justice."
The statement from the "Film Workers for Palestine" association explains that this decision responds to the call from Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film community to refuse silence and normalization with policies of racism and dehumanization. It emphasizes that it is everyone's duty to do everything possible to stop forms of complicity with the Zionist genocide against the Palestinian people.
Growing Support for the Campaign
The number of signatories to the boycott statement has exceeded 4,500 filmmakers from different countries and continues to increase daily. Film professionals wishing to join this campaign can sign up through the "Film Workers for Palestine" website.
