Arab-Israeli film-maker targeted by BDS boycotters

Representatives of the UK BDS movement criticised Holy Air for portraying Israel as a “melting pot of cultures, religions and social backgrounds”, saying it was in fact a country of “occupation, colonialism and apartheid”, Haaretz reported.

They added: “The festival does not recognise the existence of the Palestinian people, and presents all the Palestinian filmmakers and artists as Israelis, without mention of their Palestinian identity.”

Mr Srour’s representatives reportedly responded by asserting that he had “no intention” of withdrawing his work from the Seret Film Festival.

They said Mr Srour “does not reject or conceal his Palestinian identity”, warning that the demand risked “dragging us into a serious intra-Palestinian conflict”.