Indian celebrities, activists demand cancellation of Israeli film festival in Mumbai over Palestinian genocide
Mumbai: A group of prominent Indian citizens, including actors and activists, has urged the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to cancel an upcoming festival showcasing Israeli films in Mumbai.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the festival is scheduled to be held for two days starting tomorrow at the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC).
Signatories of the petition include acclaimed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak, centenarian freedom fighter GG Parikh, renowned documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, peace activist and author Tushar Gandhi, and India Palestine Solidarity Forum’s Feroze Mithiborwala.
The joint statement condemns the festival as deeply inappropriate given the current global context. “This screening by the NFDC is being held at a time when the world is witnessing Israeli war crimes, ongoing atrocities in Gaza, and widespread human rights violations across Palestine,” the statement reads.
The petitioners emphasize that the Indian government has officially recognized the Palestinian state, asserting that hosting the festival now is immoral, unethical, and a travesty of justice. They argue that the NFDC and NMIC should reconsider their decision in light of international condemnation and legal actions against Israeli leadership.
The statement also references international legal bodies, noting that both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have documented Israel’s actions as genocidal. The ICC has announced plans to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes.
“In the face of such overwhelming evidence, the NFDC must immediately cancel the so-called Israel Film Festival,” the statement demands, reflecting a broader call for accountability and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
