International Artists Condemn Marrakech Film Festival’s Silence on Zionist Assault on Gaza
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a joint statement released on Tuesday, a group of Arab and international artists voiced their condemnation of the Marrakech International Film Festival’s silence on the ongoing Zionist military offensive in Gaza. The statement, endorsed by actors, directors, producers, and industry professionals participating in the festival in Morocco, expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The signatories of the statement, including Angolan director Fradique Bastos, Tunisian directors Mohamed Ben Attia and Ala Eddine Slim, Algerian director Maya Ben Drahimia, and Lebanese film writer and producer Jihan El Tahri, called for an immediate halt to forced displacement and the genocide faced by the Palestinian people.
The statement emphasized the urgent need to end the continuous blockade on Gaza since 2006 and to ensure the right of return for all Palestinian refugees. As of 5:30 PM, there has been no response from the Marrakech Film Festival’s administration to the artists’ statement.
The 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, a prominent cinematic event in Africa, is scheduled to take place from November 24th to December 2nd. Despite canceling key segments and celebratory aspects in solidarity with the victims in Gaza, the festival organizers have not addressed the artists’ concerns about the silence on the Zionist military’s actions.
This development follows the resumption of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the Zionist entity in December of the previous year, mediated by the United States. However, this move faced opposition from various segments of the Moroccan population and political forces within the kingdom.
