BERLIN: More than 80 actors, directors and other artists who have taken part in the Berlin Film Festival, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter to the organizers published on Tuesday calling for them to take a clear stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.
“We call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel’s genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Palestinians,” said the open letter, which was published in full in entertainment industry magazine Variety.
Multiple human rights experts, scholars and a UN inquiry say Israel’s assault on Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel calls its actions self-defense after Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel.
“We are appalled by Berlinale’s institutional silence,” said the letter, which was also signed by actors Adam McKay, Alia Shawkat and Brian Cox, and director Mike Leigh.
It said organizers had not met demands to issue a statement affirming Palestinians’ right to life and committing to uphold artists’ right to speak out on the issue.
