Hollywood Stars Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo Join 1,300+ Signatories in Boycott of Israeli Film Institutions
Over 1,300 filmmakers, actors, and industry insiders, including Oscar winners Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, have pledged to boycott Israeli film institutions accused of complicity in “genocide and apartheid” against Palestinians. The open letter, released on September 8, 2025, by Film Workers for Palestine, signals a growing rift in global entertainment over the Gaza conflict, drawing sharp rebukes from Israeli producers.
This high-profile stand, inspired by anti-apartheid boycotts, underscores Hollywood’s deepening involvement in geopolitical debates, potentially reshaping international collaborations.
The Pledge: A Call to Refuse Complicity in ‘Genocide’
The pledge, posted on Instagram and the group’s website, commits signatories to “not screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions—including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies—that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” It urges the industry to “refuse silence, racism, and dehumanisation and to do everything humanly possible to end complicity in their oppression.”
Organizers emphasize the boycott targets institutional complicity, not individual Israelis: “This refusal takes aim at institutional complicity, not identity.” Named institutions include the Jerusalem Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Docaviv, and TLVFest, along with production companies and broadcasters tied to the Israeli government or accused of “whitewashing” abuses.
The initiative responds to Palestinian artists’ calls for action amid the Gaza crisis, citing UN experts’ statements since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that Israel’s response amounts to genocide, with the International Court of Justice deeming claims plausible.
Star-Studded Signatories: From Oscars to Activism
The list boasts A-listers like Emma Stone (Oscar for Poor Things), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk in Avengers), Olivia Colman (The Crown), Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), Tilda Swinton, Riz Ahmed, Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Ava DuVernay, Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things director), Adam McKay (Don’t Look Up), Cynthia Nixon, Gael García Bernal, Susan Sarandon, and Melissa Barrera. Additional names include Lily Gladstone, Peter Sarsgaard, Elliot Page, Boots Riley, Joshua Oppenheimer, and Josh O’Connor, pushing the total past 1,800 by evening.
Ruffalo, a vocal progressive, wore a ceasefire pin at the 2024 Oscars and has criticized Israel’s actions online. Stone, fresh from Venice Film Festival acclaim for Bugonia, joins amid her rising profile. The pledge echoes a 2024 boycott by 7,000 authors against Israeli publishers.
Background: Hollywood’s Gaza Divide Deepens
The boycott emerges amid escalating global protests over Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has killed over 63,000 Palestinians since October 2023, per reports. It draws from the 1987 Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, led by Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme.
Prior incidents include Melissa Barrera’s 2024 firing from Scream VII for calling Gaza a “genocide” and Emma Watson’s 2024 Instagram post sparking antisemitism accusations. The Venice Film Festival’s standing ovation for The Voice of Hind Rajab, about a Palestinian girl’s death, highlights shifting sentiments.
Reactions: Support, Backlash, and Israeli Rebuttals
Supporters on X hailed it as “brave solidarity,” with posts like “Hollywood finally stepping up against genocide” trending under #BoycottIsraeliFilm. Palestinian advocates praised the move for amplifying calls for justice.
Critics decried it as discriminatory. The Israeli Film and TV Producers Association called it “profoundly misguided,” arguing Israeli creators have long amplified Palestinian stories and critiqued state policies: “We work with Palestinian creators, telling our shared stories and promoting peace.” Israel’s government dismissed it as antisemitic, insisting actions in Gaza are “self-defense” post-Hamas’s October 7 attack that killed 1,200.
Legal experts warn of potential backlash, like contract breaches or festival exclusions, while some X users accused signatories of “one-sided virtue signaling.”
Impacts on U.S. Audiences: Culture Wars, Careers, and Global Cinema
For American moviegoers, this boycott could fragment international film distribution, delaying Israeli projects like those from Ari Folman or Nadav Lapid and limiting U.S. access to diverse stories. It heightens Hollywood’s culture wars, echoing #MeToo’s industry reckoning but risking blacklisting for pro-Palestinian voices.
Economically, Israel’s $1 billion film sector—bolstered by U.S. co-productions—faces hits, potentially costing jobs and $50 million in annual U.S.-Israel film trade. Politically, it pressures Biden’s administration amid 2025’s Gaza aid debates, with 60% of young Democrats supporting boycotts per polls.
Lifestyle-wise, it influences streaming: Platforms like Netflix, with global reach, may navigate content flags, affecting U.S. viewers’ choices. Sports fans see parallels in athlete activism, like NBA boycotts, while tech amplifies it—X’s algorithm boosted the pledge to millions, fueling debates on free speech vs. hate.
Conclusion: A Pledge That Polarizes the Silver Screen
Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and over 1,300 peers’ boycott of Israeli film institutions marks a seismic shift in Hollywood’s Gaza stance, prioritizing Palestinian solidarity over cross-border ties. While backers see moral imperative, detractors decry division in an industry built on shared narratives.
As signatories grow, expect ripple effects at festivals like Toronto or Oscars—potentially more isolated Israeli films but heightened global awareness. For U.S. fans, it’s a cue to reflect on cinema’s power: Boycotts may silence some voices, but they amplify others in the fight for justice.