Netflix Urged to Reverse Decision against Palestinian Films
The letter reads in part:
“We are deeply concerned by Netflix’s decision to delete at least 19 films by Palestinian filmmakers or about Palestinian stories from your platform last week — on October 13th and October 14th. Three years ago, Netflix announced the launch of “Palestinian Stories,” a Netflix collection of 32 films that would “showcase the depth and diversity of the Palestinian experience, exploring people’s lives, dreams, families, friendships, and love.” In the US, the “Palestinian Stories” Netflix page now shows only one film that is available for viewing. Netflix has deleted almost all of its Palestinian films and has failed to explain why, despite a global outcry from thousands of people via social media.
“We urge you to explain your decision and to reinstate every film by or about Palestinians that Netflix deleted last week. We are deeply concerned that Netflix’s deletion of nearly its entire library of Palestinian films will further marginalize Palestinian voices at a time when over two million Palestinians in Gaza are being subjected to genocide by the Israeli military. This erasure of Palestinian voices by Netflix follows many ugly decades of suppression of Palestinian viewpoints and narratives by Western news and entertainment media companies. The systemic suppression of Palestinian voices and censorship of content prevents US and Western societies from being aware of and understanding the reality of Western governments’ support for Israel’s brutal policies of occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and now, genocide of Palestinians.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the United States’ largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is one of the organization signing on to the letter.
CAIR notes that the removal of this media content may be due to contractual agreements with the distributors of these films, but Netflix has not made any public statement as the reason why this content has been taken down or their plans for future content, highlighting Arab and Palestinian stories.
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In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“We are deeply concerned about the timing of Netflix’s decision to drop content that highlights Palestinian voices and narratives, especially as Israel is actively committing genocide in Gaza, erasing Palestinian lives and culture. While this may be part of a broader contractual plan, the current context demands clarity and transparency. Netflix has a responsibility to explain its decision and to reaffirm its commitment to amplifying diverse voices, particularly Palestinian stories, which are being silenced amid this ongoing atrocity. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that Netflix’s platform remains a space for occupied Palestinians to be seen and heard.”
Source: Cair.com
