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On Monday, Film Workers for Palestine released a powerful new pledge that has already been signed by hundreds of actors and filmmakers worldwide. \u201cAs film workers, we believe we must meet our ethical obligation to do no harm,\u201d reads an FAQ section for the pledge<\/a>. The signees are calling on their peers to stop working with Israeli film institutions \u201cimplicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people<\/a>.\u201d The text of the pledge<\/a>, which was first shared exclusively with The Guardian<\/a>, was accompanied by a link to sign the missive online.<\/p>\n When the pledge was published, it had already attracted 1,200 signatories, and by Tuesday afternoon, the names included Adam McKay,<\/strong> Ava DuVernay,<\/strong> Ayo Edebiri,<\/strong> Cynthia Nixon,<\/strong> Gael Garc\u00eda Bernal,<\/strong> Javier Bardem,<\/strong> Josh O\u2019Connor,<\/strong> Lukas Dhont,<\/strong> Mark Ruffalo, Olivia Colman,<\/strong> Riz Ahmed,<\/strong> Susan Sarandon, Tilda Swinton,<\/strong> Xavier Dolan, Yorgos Lanthimos,<\/strong> Emma Stone, Julie Christie, Ken Loach,<\/strong> and Aimee Lou Wood.<\/strong><\/p>\n These film professionals are pledging to stop working with organizations they consider complicit in the killings of and assaults on Palestinian civilians. The signatories explain their approach in the pledge: \u201cAs filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter continues, \u201cWe answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged<\/a> the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization, as well as to \u2018do everything humanly possible\u2019 to end complicity in their oppression. Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused<\/a> to screen their films in apartheid South Africa<\/a>, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions\u2014including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies\u2014that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.\u201d The Filmmakers United Against Apartheid<\/a> movement was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Demme and Martin Scorsese<\/strong> to try to prevent all American or US-funded films from being shown in South Africa.<\/p>\n Film Workers for Palestine is pointedly targeting institutions rather than individual Israelis. \u201cThe call is for film workers to refuse to work with Israeli institutions that are complicit in Israel\u2019s human rights abuses against the Palestinian people. This refusal takes aim at institutional complicity, not identity,\u201d the pledge\u2019s FAQ states. \u201cWe see this pledge as representing one important step on a journey towards reducing and ultimately ending complicity in oppression.\u201d<\/p>\n The group is also suggesting to signees the option of including a clause in film contracts to ensure their projects do not go against the boycott guidelines. It proposes a model clause that was written in collaboration with Palestine Legal, an advocacy group for supporters of Palestinian rights, and the British cultural network Artists for Palestine UK.<\/p>\n The Israeli Producers Association responded to the pledge in a statement to The Guardian. \u201cFor decades, we Israeli artists, storytellers, and creators have been the primary voices allowing audiences to hear and witness the complexity of the conflict, including Palestinian narratives and criticism of Israeli state policies. We work with Palestinian creators, telling our shared stories and promoting peace and an end to violence through thousands of films, TV series, and documentaries,\u201d the collective explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThis call for boycott is profoundly misguided,\u201d it continued. \u201cBy targeting us\u2014the creators who give voice to diverse narratives and foster dialogue\u2014these signatories are undermining their own cause and attempting to silence us. This shortsighted act seeks to eliminate precisely the collaborative efforts working toward ending violence and achieving peace. We will not allow this and will push back in our efforts to end violence and bring just peace to our region for the benefit of all.\u201d<\/p>\n