Netflix has denied accusations of deleting Palestinian films from its platform, clarifying that the removal of a collection titled Palestine Stories, which includes at least 19 films, is due to the expiration of licenses.
The streaming service explained, “We launched this licensed collection of films in 2021 for three years, and those licenses have now expired. As always, we continue to invest in a wide variety of quality films and TV shows to meet our members’ needs and celebrate voices from around the world,” in a statement to Deadline.
This decision has sparked significant backlash from rights groups and activists, notably from the San Francisco-based organization Freedom Forward, which has circulated an open letter and petition demanding an explanation from Netflix.
The letter, endorsed by several groups including the Arab American Action Network and the Council on American Islamic Relations, expressed concern over the removal of films by Palestinian filmmakers or those addressing Palestinian narratives. Sunjeev Bery, executive director of Freedom Forward, emphasized the importance of reinstating these titles, stating, “At a time of such significant pain and suffering for Palestinians, it seems clear that Netflix should be doing everything in its power to maintain global public access to Palestinian films.”
Bery also criticized Netflix for its silence regarding the films’ removal and for seemingly lacking effort in renewing the necessary licenses.
When Netflix announced the Palestine Stories Collection in October 2021, it included 32 films either directed by Palestinian filmmakers or focused on Palestinian stories, showcasing the talent of directors like Annemarie Jacir, Mai Masri, and Farah Nabulsi. Currently, the Pakistani version of Netflix features only two films from this collection: 200 Meters and Ibrahim: A Fate to Define.
