BRIAN Cox and Paul Laverty have joined more than 1400 filmmakers in a pledge to end their industry's complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza.
The pledge, organised by Film Workers for Palestine, vows not to work with Israeli film companies that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.
It states: "As filmmakers, 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."
The 1400 signatories pledge "not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions – including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies –that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people".
A number of Scots have added their name to the pledge, including Succession actor Brian Cox and renowned screenwriter Paul Laverty.
Other notable names include:
- Ken Loach
- Miriam Margolyes
- Olivia Colman
- Liam Cunningham
- Ayo Edebiri
- Mark Ruffalo
- Tilda Swinton
- Brian Eno
- Charles Dance
- Indira Varma
- Joe Alwyn
- Josh O'Connor
- Maxine Peake
- Paapa Essiedu
A spokesperson for Film Workers for Palestine said: “Despite operating in Israel’s system of apartheid, and therefore benefiting from it, the vast majority of Israeli film production and distribution companies, sales agents, cinemas and other film institutions have never endorsed the full, internationally-recognized rights of the Palestinian people.”
They added: "We answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization, as well as to 'do everything humanly possible' to end complicity in their oppression."
Click here to read the pledge in full and see the 1400 signatories.
