Pro-Israel lawyers group issue legal warning to Netflix, BBC
UK lawyers for Israel against boycott of Israeli film by stars like Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Olivia Coleman
The pro-Israel legal group, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), issued a legal warning to major TV and film studios in the UK, cautioning them about the boycott of Israel’s film institutions, claiming it goes against the British Equality Act, according to The New Arab via Variety on October 13th.
The warning addresses the boycott organised by Film Workers for Palestine, which took the form of an open letter signed by stars including Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Coleman, Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone, pledging to not work with or partner in any way with Israeli film institutions that the signatories consider to be implicated in genocide and apartheid that targets Palestinians.
Those warned include the UK divisions of Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, along with household names such as the BBC, Film4, and the British Film Institute (BFI).
The letter states that the boycott violates the UK Equality Act 2010 by discriminating based on nationality, ethnicity, and/or religion. In particular, the boycott exempts Palestinian Israelis, which has prompted the lawyers group to say this is discrimination against religion and ethnicity and not just nationality.
While the boycott states that it targets only Israeli-affiliated film institutions rather than individual professionals, the Equality Act extends its protections to organisations as well as people. This is especially significant in the film and television sector, where many actors, producers, and crew members operate through corporate entities or production companies.
The UKLFI was formed to tackle the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. With increased boycotting and isolation faced by Israelis, Israel has also lobbied US lawmakers against anti-Israel boycotts.
The UKLFI’s fundraising wing was also previously investigated for threatening to take legal action against people who were pro-Palestine.
Complainants claimed that the UKLFI was submitting letters to individuals in a vexatious and legally unfounded attempt to intimidate Palestinian solidarity efforts with lawsuits designed to restrict public debate on issues of public interest.
The New Arab via Variety, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
