Oscars: ‘Voice of Hind Rajab’ star to overlook ceremony as a consequence of journey ban

“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a heartbreaking retelling of the efforts to save lots of a 6-year-old Palestinian lady amid Israel’s assaults on Gaza, might be honored on the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday — with out certainly one of its star gamers.

Actor Motaz Malhees, who stars within the movie as Red Crescent dispatcher Omar, confirmed Thursday that he might be absent from the festivities due to President Trump’s journey ban towards Palestinians. “I had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear,” Malhees mentioned on Instagram, “but I will not be there.”

“I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” he added.

Trump introduced his widened journey ban in December, noting his resolution to “fully restrict and limit the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority,” together with individuals from nations together with South Sudan and Syria. The president issued the order months after he introduced his 20-point peace plan for the Gaza strip — efforts that some Palestinians really feel have been now brushed apart amid U.S. and Israeli assaults towards Iran.

Malhees mentioned in his put up that the restriction “hurts” however provided his followers and supporters a kernel of fact: “You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice.”

“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, is nominated within the worldwide function class. The movie is ready in a Red Crescent name heart in Ramallah and facilities the 70-minute cellphone recording of Hind’s pleas for assist as she waits along with her household in a trapped automobile for emergency responders. She and two medics dispatched to her location were killed in February 2024 in Israeli assaults in Gaza.

The movie earned the grand jury prize on the Venice Film Festival.

Though unable to have fun the movie on the Oscars on Sunday, Malhees mentioned he stands “with pride and dignity” and that his “spirit will be with the Voice of Hind Rajab that night.”

“Our story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard,” he mentioned.

A consultant for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

As Malhees publicized his absence, fellow stars together with Oscar winner Riz Ahmed and Emmy-nominated “Succession” star Arian Moayed rallied in assist.

“Your work in the film and the film itself are both incredible and will live on forever,” Ahmed commented.

“You are brilliant, azizam,” Moayed replied to Malhees. “And this is heartbreaking and unjust.”