Warner Bros. Pushes Back Against Calls to Boycott Israeli Films

Warner Bros. Discovery has publicly pushed back against a proposed boycott of Israeli film institutions, citing company policies that prohibit discrimination.

The studio’s response came after receiving a legal letter related to the pledge, which they said would likely conflict with internal rules.

“Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for its employees, collaborators, and other stakeholders,” a spokesperson told Variety. “Our policies prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or ancestry.”

“We believe a boycott of Israeli film institutions violates our policies. While we respect the rights of individuals and groups to express their views and advocate for causes, we will continue to align our business practices with the requirements of our policies and the law.” They said.

The boycott was organized by the group Film Workers for Palestine and signed by numerous prominent actors, including Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Javier Bardem.

The pledge encourages avoiding collaborations with Israeli film institutions alleged to be involved in “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” The campaign specifies that Israeli citizens of Palestinian heritage would face different, “context sensitive” guidelines.

Legal experts on both sides of the Atlantic have warned that such a boycott could violate equality laws. According to Variety, U.K. Lawyers for Israel cautioned that the pledge may breach the Equality Act 2010, creating a significant risk of legal action. In the United States, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights under Law noted that federal and state civil rights laws could make the boycott illegal, potentially affecting insurance and financing for studios.

Over 1,200 industry professionals, including Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, and Debra Messing, have also signed an open letter opposing the boycott.

This situation highlights the tension between activism in the arts and legal and ethical considerations in business. While the pledge aims to make a political statement, major studios are taking a cautious approach to avoid violating laws and company policies.

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