Hollywood split as Israel’s Oscar nominee ‘The Sea’ sparks global controversy

Israel’s Oscar 2026 entry, The Sea, a Palestinian-Israeli collaboration, has sparked political backlash in Israel and divided Hollywood stars, with some backing a boycott while others defend artistic freedom.

By Imran Malik

WEBDESK — Israel’s nomination of the Arabic-language drama The Sea for the 2026 Academy Awards has triggered sharp divisions in both Hollywood and Israeli politics, with artists and officials clashing over the film’s message and meaning.

The Sea, directed by Israeli left-wing filmmaker Shai Carmeli Pollak and produced by Palestinian Baher Agbariya, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy from the West Bank who risks everything to see the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv for the first time. The antiwar narrative, which highlights the human cost of conflict, was chosen by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television as the country’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category.

However, the decision immediately sparked backlash within Israel. The film recently won the prestigious Ophir Award, known as the “Israeli Oscars.” Culture Minister Miki Zohar condemned the win, accusing the film of “defaming heroic soldiers.” He announced the government would end funding for the Ophir ceremony, calling it “a shameful platform for pro-Palestinian propaganda.”

In Hollywood, the nomination has deepened existing fractures. A growing group of actors, directors, and writers — including figures such as Mark Ruffalo and Ava DuVernay — have signed a boycott pledge against Israeli film institutions, arguing that Israel uses cinema as soft power while committing violence in Gaza and the West Bank. They say supporting Israeli state-backed institutions legitimizes occupation and oppression.

On the other side, major studios and producers, including Paramount, have denounced the boycott as harmful and discriminatory. They argue that films like The Sea, which involve collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians, prove that cinema can serve as a bridge for dialogue rather than a weapon of war. Israeli film associations warn that cultural boycotts risk silencing precisely the voices trying to challenge government policy.

For audiences in Pakistan and the wider Muslim world, The Sea is notable as an unprecedented collaboration between an Israeli director and a Palestinian producer—a reminder that even in conflict zones, art can transcend boundaries. But as the Oscars approach, the film is not only competing for an award; it has also become a symbol of the global struggle over how art, politics, and identity collide in times of war.