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Israel’s Minister of Culture, Miki Zohar, has announced that government financing for the national film awards is set to be withdrawn following the film “The Sea,” centered on the journey of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, received the top film honor.

Official’s Announcement on X

On his account on social media, Zohar said, “Nothing represents a bigger slap in the face of the people of Israel than the embarrassing and out-of-touch annual awards event.” He added, “From the next budget cycle, this pathetic event will no longer be funded by taxpayers’ money. Under my watch, taxpayers won’t finance for shows disrespect of our heroic soldiers.”

Details of the Winning Film “The Sea”

“The Sea,” which now becomes the country's submission for the Oscar category, is the work of director Shai Carmeli-Pollak. It stars a young actor as a Palestinian boy who travels on a field trip to the city to see the beach for the first time but is refused passage at the checkpoint and begins a risky journey to enter the country. The young actor, aged 13, received the best actor award, while fellow actor Khalifa Natour was awarded the supporting role honor. The awards are voted on by the academy of the national film academy.

Legal Questions Regarding Minister’s Decision

It is unclear whether Zohar has the authority to follow through on his threat: sources say that The Association for Civil Rights in Israel is investigating if the ministry has the power to withdraw financial support from the awards.

Minister’s Past Actions Regarding Israeli Cinema

The culture minister has previously confronted the country’s cinema community. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill to change film funding, channeling government money toward commercially successful productions. Additionally, he described the award-winning documentary “No Other Land” as “sabotage against the nation of Israel.”

Responses from Industry Figures

During the awards, Baher Agbariya of “The Sea” accepted the award with a message for equality and understanding. Agbariya said, “This film was born from love for humanity and cinema, and its message is clear – the right of all children to live and aspire in peace, free from blockades, fearlessness, and without war.” Demonstrations against the Gaza conflict were noticeable at the ceremony, with participants sporting T-shirts bearing slogans like “every child matters” and “end the war.”

The producer also expressed gratitude to the national film fund for supporting the project.

Esteemed filmmaker Uri Barbash, known for the classic film “Beyond the Walls,” received a career honor and spoke to demand an cessation to the war. He said, “We have our moral obligation to bring back every hostage to the embrace of their families, and without delay, to stop the damned war and change the ‘divide and rule’ system that is harming Israeli society.”

Reacting to the minister’s comments, Assaf Amir of the film academy remarked, “Against the Israeli government’s attacks on Israeli cinema and arts, and the demands from parts of the global cinema world to boycott us, the selection of ‘The Sea’ is a powerful and resounding answer.”

International Boycott Efforts and Industry Responses

This controversy follows a commitment endorsed by over 3,000 international cinema figures to boycott Israeli film institutions that they say are “implicated in atrocities and segregation targeting the Palestinian people.” Well-known stars and filmmakers such as Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, Riz Ahmed, and Emma Stone were among their names to the letter.

Representatives of the Israeli film industry described the boycott “concerning.” Nadav Ben Simon of the Israeli screenwriters’ guild commented, “In the past, we have worked with Palestinian colleagues on movies, TV shows, and non-fiction works that seek to encourage dialogue, mutual understanding, harmony and an halt to hostilities… Such actions fail to help the goal of peace. Rather, they hurt exactly those who are committed to fostering dialogue and creating connections among peoples.”

Hollywood studio Paramount also released a statement opposing the initiative, stating, “We do not agree with the campaign to blacklist artists from Israel. Muzzling individual artists based on their origin hinders mutual respect or further the cause of peace.”