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The country's Culture Minister, Miki Zohar, declared that taxpayer money for the national film awards could be canceled after the film “The Sea,” which tells the story of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, received the best feature prize.

Minister’s Announcement on X

Via a message on social media, he claimed, “There is no greater slap in the face of Israeli citizens than the embarrassing and out-of-touch annual awards event.” The minister emphasized, “Starting with the next budget cycle, this pathetic ceremony won’t be supported by public funds. During my term, taxpayers will not pay for shows disrespect toward our brave troops.”

About the Winning Film “The Sea”

“This film,” which now becomes the country's submission for the Oscar category, was directed and written by Shai Carmeli-Pollak. Featuring Muhammad Gazawi as Khaled who goes on a school trip to the city to see the beach for the first time but is refused passage at the checkpoint and embarks on a dangerous quest to enter the country. The young actor, aged 13, won the best actor award, while co-star Khalifa Natour was awarded best supporting actor. These prizes are voted on by the academy of the national film academy.

Legal Uncertainty Over Funding Threat

However, it remains unclear if the minister has the authority to follow through with his threat: reports indicate that The Association for Civil Rights in Israel is investigating whether the culture ministry is legally able to withdraw funding from the awards.

Zohar’s Past Actions Regarding Film Industry

Zohar had earlier clashed with Israel’s film industry. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill to reform public support for movies, channeling government money toward commercially successful films. Additionally, he described the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” as “an act of sabotage against the nation of Israel.”

Reactions from Industry Figures

At the ceremony, the Palestinian producer of “The Sea” received the honor with a plea for equality and understanding. He stated, “The movie was created out of love for humanity and cinema, and its message is one – the entitlement of every child to exist and aspire in safety, without siege, fearlessness, and without war.” Protests against the war in Gaza were noticeable at the ceremony, with attendees sporting shirts with messages like “a child is a child” and “stop the fighting.”

The producer also expressed gratitude to the Israel Film Fund for supporting the film.

Esteemed filmmaker Uri Barbash, known for the classic prison drama “Beyond the Walls,” received a lifetime achievement award and used his speech to call for an cessation to the war. He said, “It is our sacred duty to bring back every hostage to the embrace of their loved ones, and immediately, to stop the damned war and replace the ‘divide and rule’ system that declared war on our nation.”

In response to the minister’s comments, Assaf Amir of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television said, “Against the government’s criticism on Israeli cinema and culture, and the calls from some segments of the global cinema world to boycott us, the choice of ‘The Sea’ is a strong and clear response.”

International Boycott Efforts and Industry Reactions

This dispute comes after a pledge endorsed by more than 3,000 international cinema professionals to avoid Israel's cinematic organizations that they say are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinians.” Well-known stars and directors such as Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, Riz Ahmed, and Emma Stone added their support to the letter.

Representatives of the Israeli film industry called the boycott “deeply troubling.” Nadav Ben Simon of the writers’ association stated, “In the past, we have worked with Palestinian artists on movies, TV shows, and documentaries that aim to promote conversation, mutual understanding, peace and an halt to hostilities… Such actions do not advance the cause of peace. Rather, they harm exactly those who are committed to fostering communication and creating connections among communities.”

Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures also released a statement criticizing the boycott, saying, “We disagree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Muzzling individual professionals based on their origin does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace.”