The “Israeli Oscar” loses the financing of the state because he awarded a film about a Palestinian boy. “A ceremony that spits in front of our heroic soldiers”
Miki Zohar, Minister of Culture and Sport of Israel Photo: Lev Radin / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
The Ministry of Culture in Israel stopped financing the most prestigious film award in the country, after it was given to a film about a Palestinian boy in the Cisiorordan, DPA, taken over by Agerpres. The Offic Prize, often called the Israeli Oscar, is considered the highest cinematic distinction of Israel.
“The Sea”, directed by Israeli Shai Carmeli-Pollak, won the prize in the best film. The film tells the story of a Palestinian boy in the city of Ramallah in the busy West, trying to see the sea for the first time.
For many Palestinians in the West Bank, an area without exit at sea, this is difficult because of the military control points in Israel, who are in war with the Palestinian Islamists from the Gaza strip of October 2023.
The Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar, criticized the film in a statement on Wednesday: “Under my leadership, Israeli citizens will not pay from their pockets for a ceremony that spit in front of our heroic soldiers.”
Following what he described as a ceremony to award the “Shame” Prize, Zohar announced his decision to stop the prize financing. He said that the Israelis deserve a better use of public money. Zohar is a member of the right Likud party.
Despite his announcement, the film is still ready to represent Israel at the 2026 Oscars, in the category dedicated to the best international productions, in March.
Muhammad Gazawi, thirteen years old, who played in the film, also won the offic prize for best actor. According to Jerusalem Post, he expressed his hope in his acceptance speech for a future in which children can “live and dream without wars.”
