“I stand against the war in Gaza and genocide, but I think [the boycott] is wrong.” The line landed on Oct. 10, 2025, when a producer defending his film challenged a mass boycott that now counts 5,000 signatories. The comment, published by Deadline, detonated debate across Hollywood today as studios, festivals and stars choose sides. My quick take: this is less about one quote and more about whether cultural pressure will erase local storytelling. How will awards, distribution and festival lineups shift next?
What this remark means for Hollywood and festivals in 2025
The producer delivered the line on Oct. 10, 2025; industry reaction spiked.
Film Workers For Palestine urged a boycott with 5,000 signatories; studios weigh responses.
The film in question premiered at festivals now under scrutiny; distribution risk grows.
Industry groups accused the boycott of collective punishment; counter-petitions followed.
Why did this line shake Hollywood this week and who’s reacting?
The quote arrived amid a high-stakes campaign to blacklist festivals, cinemas and broadcasters tied to Israeli institutions, and it instantly turned a producer into a lightning rod. Critics call the boycott moral pressure; defenders call it censorship. Fans and studios pick sides.
Why reactions are so polarized in 2025 and what it could cost studios
Some signatories are A-list names, which gives the boycott cultural weight; others warn it risks silencing Palestinian voices. The debate now ties awards season to geopolitics, threatening festival lineups and distribution deals. Short scan: Fans notice. Studios calculate risk.
The numbers that reveal how this boycott reshapes awards and festivals in 2025
| Metric | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Signatories | 5,000 people | Rapid growth since 2024 |
| Ophir Awards Wins | 3 awards | Elevated contention around Israel’s entry |
| Blacklist Scope | Festivals & cinemas | Targets major festival events |
Who said it and why this producer’s stance matters in 2025
“I stand against the war in Gaza and genocide, but I think [the boycott] is wrong,” said Baher Agbariya, an Academy Award-nominated producer based in Haifa. Agbariya produced The Sea, a film that won multiple Ophir awards and later became Israel’s contender for the Best International Feature slot. He argues blanket boycotts are “collective punishment” that can silence stories born from the conflict, and he urged dialogue over bans. If you care about diverse storytelling, his stance raises a hard question about protest tactics and cultural consequence.
What lasts beyond this quote for Hollywood in 2025?
Studios and festivals now face reputational and commercial choices that could reshape awards seasons and distribution pipelines. Expect more petitions, more counterstatements, and possible program changes at major festivals before 2026. Will cultural pressure rewrite how films cross borders, or will industry safeguards protect festival curation?
Sources
- https://deadline.com/2025/10/hollywood-israel-boycott-criticized-the-sea-producer-1236574301/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.