Director rejects award over Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza
Al Jazeera
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania made a bold statement at the Cinema for Peace gala in Berlin by refusing to accept an award for her film *The Voice of Hind Rajab*. She left the trophy on stage to protest what she described as the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza, which she called a “genocide.” Ben Hania emphasized that the killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, along with her family and two paramedics attempting to rescue her, was not an isolated incident but part of a systematic atrocity. She urged justice and accountability, criticizing the complicity of powerful governments and institutions in enabling such violence.
Ben Hania’s refusal to accept the award was a deliberate act of defiance against what she described as “image-laundering” by the film industry. She argued that the deaths of Palestinians should not be trivialized or overlooked for the sake of political convenience. Instead, she called for peace rooted in justice and accountability. Her speech highlighted the broader issue of international silence on Israel’s actions in Gaza, contrasting it with the global solidarity shown toward Ukraine and Iran.
The director’s decision to leave her award behind comes as part of a growing movement within the film industry to address issues of justice and human rights. Over 80 prominent filmmakers, including actors Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, and Brian Cox, as well as directors Mike Leigh and Adam McKay, have signed an open letter
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/19/2026