Europe’s silence on Gaza: Arts community faces criticism

By Selman Aksunger

AMSTERDAM (AA) - Europe’s culture, cinema, and arts sectors largely remain silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, where international court trials accuse Israel of genocide against Palestinians.

Anadolu’s series "Silent Supporters of Israel's Genocide in Europe" reveals how European cultural industries support Israel’s stance, often exerting pressure on artists who show solidarity with Palestine.

Western cultural institutions and festivals work to justify Israel’s actions in Gaza, creating a systematic mechanism that represses Palestinian solidarity in the arts.

In Europe, cultural and artistic circles largely ignore the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Artists attempting to support Palestine face job losses, censorship at festivals, and other sanctions.

- Berlin Film Festival controversy

Expressions of solidarity with Palestine during the Berlin Film Festival’s closing ceremony drew backlash from German politicians.

Culture Minister Claudia Roth condemned the speeches as "horribly one-sided against Israel." Berlin’s Cultural Senator Joe Chialo labeled it "arrogant anti-Israel propaganda," threatening investigation and stating it "has no place on Berlin stages."

Israeli director Yuval Abraham, who faced accusations of antisemitism, responded: "Such accusations diminish the value of the term ‘antisemitism’ and endanger Jewish lives."

At the Amsterdam Film Festival, 12 documentary filmmakers withdrew after it denounced Palestinian protests, while Palestinian-Jordanian director Darin J. Sallam’s film was removed from the Bristol Palestine Film Festival.

"Silence is complicity… these cowardly acts… make them complicit in the ongoing genocide," remarked Sallam.

- Eurovision's flag ban

At the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, from May 7-11, Palestinian flags were banned, sparking protests against Israel’s participation.

Michelle Roverelli, communications director of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), justified the restriction, allowing only national and rainbow flags.

According to Swedish news agency TT, security personnel confiscated Palestinian flags or banners containing political messages.

Despite Russia’s expulsion due to its invasion of Ukraine, the EBU defended Israel’s participation. Human rights groups labeled this a "double standard," as Irish finalist Bambie Thug faced pressure to remove "cease-fire" and "freedom" body paint.

- Hollywood sanctions on pro-Palestine artists

Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon’s pro-Palestine stance led to her being dropped by her agency, United Talent Agency (UTA). Similarly, Scream star Melissa Barrera was removed from a film due to her social media posts.

Barrera, the star of Scream VII, was dismissed by Spyglass Media for calling Israel’s actions "genocide" on Instagram. She clarified: "I denounce both antisemitism and Islamophobia, yet I will continue to raise my voice for human rights."

Vanity Fair edited out the Palestinian flag pin on Australian actor Guy Pearce, while Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan revealed she was cautioned that supporting Palestine could jeopardize her career.

- Artists' resistance messages despite repression

Despite severe sanctions, some artists continue supporting Palestine.

Model Bella Hadid reported losing several brand contracts over pro-Palestine posts, stating: "I will continue to be a voice for the Palestinian people, no matter the cost."

British musician Roger Waters cited similar reasons for concert cancellations in Germany, calling pro-Palestine support "career suicide in the art world."

British director Ken Loach highlighted Israel’s actions in Palestine during the 2024 BAFTA Awards ceremony, a stance criticized by free speech advocates.

The European Writers’ Association issued a report, saying: "Germany’s normalization of canceling Palestinian authors’ events at book fairs and threatening deportation of those critical of Israel clearly illustrates the ongoing pressure on intellectuals."

- 'The worst genocide we've ever seen in our lifetime'

At the Venice Film Festival, Japanese-American director Neo Sora expressed his solidarity with Palestine, commenting on the pro-Israel stance in the art world.

Working on his debut feature film on Oct. 7, Sora stated: "It was really difficult to try to continue to have the motivation to be able to finish the film, because in the face of such an extreme live stream genocide ... probably the worst genocide that we've ever seen in our lifetime."

He added: "Certainly, I couldn't figure out if I can continue to make films, because what is the point of telling stories about human dignity and humanity if we're confronted with ... horrible violence."

Sora also shared his Venice Film Festival experiences, where he wore a keffiyeh and carried a Palestinian flag: "People were shouting from the audience, free Palestine... Arabic and Japanese audiences expressed gratitude for the solidarity."

- 'Structural biases in American film industry'

Sora criticized structural biases in the American film industry, noting: "In America, it is very based on either personal investors or corporations... They will be more likely to want to support Israeli projects and not Palestinian projects."

He also highlighted the lack of awareness in Japan regarding Palestine: "Where I'm coming from in Japan ... very few people are aware about what is actually happening."

- 'Genocide also targets Palestinian cultural identity'

Sora pointed to Israel’s targeting of Palestinian culture, stating: "I think one thing that has been happening through this genocide is the destruction ... of the cultural identity of Palestine through the destruction of these archives and institutions and museums and memory."

He warned about Israel’s military use of artificial intelligence, adding: "We have been using our creativity that we should be using to create art for killing ... we won't survive as humans if we don't stop this."

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul