Ava DuVernay Joins Boycott of Israeli Film Institutions
Ava DuVernay is one of over 1,300 filmmakers, actors, and others in the entertainment industry who have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of Israeli film institutions.
This letter, shared on Instagram by the group Film Workers for Palestine, accuses these institutions of being involved in “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people” and states a commitment to “end our complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
Notable signatories include prominent figures like Susan Sarandon, Joe Alwyn, and Mark Ruffalo, among many others.
The letter highlights the significant role cinema plays in shaping public opinion and emphasizes the need for those in the industry to respond to the ongoing crisis, particularly as many governments are perceived as enabling violence in Gaza.
It pledges that the signatories “will not screen films, attend, or collaborate with Israeli film institutions—this includes festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, and production companies—implicated in genocide and apartheid.”
The document further contends that Israeli film organizations legitimize government actions by aligning themselves with state policies and providing a façade for actions described as genocide and apartheid.
Referencing a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that suggested a “plausible risk” of genocide in Gaza, the signers argue that lack of action from artists signifies complicity. They regard this boycott as an ethical obligation for those in the industry who advocate for justice and equality.
