On Friday, the festival apologized for the opening night disruption and called the slogan hurtful.
We are truly sorry that it was hurtful to many.
From the river to the sea, Palestinians are subjected to the conditions of occupation and apartheid.
Palestinian filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly speaks at a “Stand Up for Palestine” rally at IDFA on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.Matthew Carey
Palestinian filmmaker Mohammed Almughanni said he was baffled by those who object to the slogan.
I really dont understand these people who find it hurtful, this statement, he said.
Werent they hurt by the footage and things that we have been exposed to for the past month?
Yara Yuri Safadi (L) and others at the “Stand Up for Palestine” demonstration at IDFA.Matthew Carey
I have seen things that I would never imagine that I would see.
I hear things from my family that I would never imagine that I would hear.
My sister gave me her testament.
She gave me her [last will and] testament because everybody is expecting to die at any moment.
All pain is respected, and all this killing must stop.
The world of arts and culture has a responsibility towards this, and IDFA acknowledges that.
When are they going to call for a ceasefire?
The platform will be open to all to express their solidarity, their pain, and their hope.
Stay warm and bring umbrellas.
Nyrabia applauded after the demonstrators chanted Ceasefire now!
and applauded as the demonstrators left the stage.
He later clarified that he had not seen the words written on the protesters banner.
I clapped to welcome freedom of speech, and not to welcome the slogan.
It does not represent IDFA, and was and will not be endorsed.
The festival itself also apologized for the incident.
IDFA does not endorse or agree with any of that.
This includes the presentation of three poignant documentary projects capturing the supposed essence of the Palestinian experience.
For very different reasons, the apology from IDFA and Nyrabia angered some prominent members of Israels film industry.
They issued their own statement on Friday suggesting IDFA was supporting calls for Israels destruction.
IDFA runs until November 19 in the Dutch capital.
Two hundred and fifty films are being screened at the festival.
