**‘Israeli Oscar’ Faces Backlash After Film About Palestinian Boy Wins Top Honors**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | September 18, 2025*
Israel’s Culture Minister Miki Zohar has sparked controversy by threatening to cut state funding for the Israeli Academy of Film and Television following the critical success of a film depicting a Palestinian boy’s journey.
**Film’s Triumph at the Ophir Awards**
The movie *The Sea*, directed by Shai Carmeli Pollak and produced by Baher Agbariya, garnered significant acclaim at the 2025 Ophir Awards. It won five awards, including the prestigious Best Picture, and is set to represent Israel in the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars.
**Minister Zohar’s Criticism and Response**
Minister Zohar criticized the film for what he described as a negative portrayal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and the State of Israel. He called the Ophir Awards “a spit in the face of Israeli citizens” and announced plans to create an alternative government-sponsored ceremony dubbed the “Israeli State Oscar.”
In defense, the Israeli Academy of Film and Television emphasized their commitment to cinematic excellence, artistic freedom, and free expression, standing by their selection process.
**Legal Experts Question Funding Threat**
Legal experts have raised doubts about the legality of Zohar’s funding threat. Oded Feller, legal adviser for the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, told CNN that Zohar’s threats are “empty” and that he lacks the authority to interfere in cultural content or professional film selection decisions. Feller further explained that the ministry’s budget is beyond the minister’s unilateral control.
**Producer’s Response: A Call for Peace and Equality**
Producer Baher Agbariya responded to the controversy by stating, “This film is about every child’s right to live in peace, a basic right we will not give up on. We are all equal. Peace and equality are not an illusion, but a possible choice here and now.”
Adding to the film’s accolades, 13-year-old Muhammad Ghazawi won Best Actor at the Ophir Awards, becoming the youngest recipient of the honor.
**A Pattern of Clashes**
This incident echoes Minister Zohar’s previous conflicts with the film industry. Last year, the joint Israeli-Palestinian documentary *No Other Land* won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. During their acceptance speech, the filmmakers highlighted the impact of Israeli military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Zohar labeled that win “a regrettable moment for the cinematic world,” accusing the filmmakers of “sabotage” against Israel.
As the debate unfolds, the tension between artistic expression and political sensitivity continues to challenge Israel’s cultural landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/israeli-oscars-face-wrath-after-film-about-palestinian-boy-wins/story