Mumbai: A coalition of Indian celebrities and activists has called on the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to cancel an upcoming Israeli film festival in Mumbai, citing the current situation in Palestine.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the festival, which is slated to start tomorrow at the National Museum of Indian Cinema, has drawn criticism from various quarters, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak, as well as documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan and others. They argue that the festival’s timing is particularly insensitive in light of what they describe as Israeli war crimes and ongoing human rights violations in Gaza and across Palestine.

The signatories of the petition against the festival have expressed that conducting such an event is not only unethical but also contradicts the principles of justice, especially considering India’s official recognition of the Palestinian state. They further point to ongoing international legal scrutiny and potential actions against Israeli leadership by bodies like the International Criminal Court, which has flagged intentions to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The group’s demand for the cancellation of the Israel Film Festival is part of a larger plea for global accountability and adherence to international human rights standards.