Netflix Removes Almost All Its Palestinian Films – 5Pillars

Global streaming giant Netflix has removed nearly its entire library of Palestinian films without explanation, despite public outcry.

Netflix removed at least 19 films by Palestinian directors or about Palestinian stories October 13 and 14.

Regardless of why he took such a step, he remains silent global resonance from thousands of people through social networks.

In a letter to Reed Hastingsfounder and executive chairman of Netflix, a coalition of Muslim, Arab and other activist organizations demanded to know whether pro-Israel lobbying organizations were pushing Netflix to remove the films.

“We call on you to explain your decision and reinstate all films by or about Palestinians that Netflix removed last week. We are deeply concerned that Netflix’s removal of nearly its entire library of Palestinian films will further marginalize Palestinian voices at a time when more than two million Palestinians in Gaza are being genocided by the Israeli military.

“This erasure of Palestinian voices by Netflix follows many ugly decades of suppression of Palestinian perspectives and narratives by Western news and entertainment media companies. The systematic suppression of Palestinian voices and censorship of content prevents American and Western societies from realizing and understanding the reality of Western governments’ support for Israel’s brutal policies of occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and now the genocide of Palestinians…

“Over the past year, Israel has been carrying out genocide in Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll potentially reaching 9% of the total population, or 186,000 dead, according to the material. published in the British medical journal Lancet. Given this dire reality, Netflix should promote, not remove, Palestinian films so that more people can learn about Palestinian life under Israeli military rule and occupation, especially given advisory opinion of the UN International Court of Justice that the Israeli occupation is illegal, a serious violation of human rights and must end.”

Meanwhile, Netflix still streams many movies about Israel and the Holocaust, such as documentaries like The Last Days, which features Holocaust survivors.

Netflix has also committed to or distributed shows with significant Israeli involvement or adaptations of Israeli content. Shows like “Fauda” highlight the platform’s interest in Israeli storytelling, especially those that relate to the narratives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or life in Israel.

Critics say that by showing Israeli series, Netflix promotes what can be seen as cultural diplomacy or soft power, where cultural products (such as TV shows) influence perceptions of the country.

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