What Happened: Netflix has reportedly removed most films from its “Palestinian Stories” section under alleged pro-Israel pressure, sparking criticism over erasing Palestinian narratives.
What you need to know: Netflix has reportedly removed around 32 films from its “Palestinian Stories” section, allegedly due to pressure from Zionist groups amid Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These films depicted the hardships of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, portraying resilience and survival in the face of adversity.
What more: Now, only two films remain, with many well-known titles no longer available, including *Children of Shatila* by Mai Masri, a story of two children in a refugee camp, and *Ave Maria* by Basil Khalil, a comedic short about an Israeli settler family seeking assistance from Palestinian nuns.
Also: The pro-Palestinian group Code Pink condemned Netflix, accusing the platform of censoring Palestinian voices due to pro-Israel influence. They stressed the importance of these stories in preserving Palestinian history and criticized Netflix for “erasing” these narratives from popular media.
Additionally: In a recent statement, it was noted that Netflix previously declined requests from Israeli groups to remove Palestinian films, citing its dedication to artistic freedom and authentic storytelling. Yet, as the urgent need to highlight Palestinian experiences grows amid escalating violence in Gaza, Netflix seems to have reversed its stance, potentially backing away from its former support of creative expression.