Cairo Film Festival President, Hussein Fahmy, Calls for Anti-Israel Boycott

Paris, 25 November

The 45th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), considered the “Cannes” of the Arab World, has just ended.

This year, it was opened by the Festival’s President, actor Hussein Fahmy, who, according to the Egyptian lifestyle media Lovin Cairo, focused attention on “the Palestinian cause” by stating: “Our stance is clear: we will not accept any sponsorship from companies on the Arab boycott list or those supporting the Israeli occupation.”

He added, “We will not work with entities that compromise our values or that stand against the cause we believe in… This festival is not only a celebration of cinema but also of our shared heritage and identity.”

This is a clear reference to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign, targeting Israeli and Jewish businesses and institutions.

According to Lovin Cairo, the CIFF “sets an example for other cultural events and emphasizing the importance of using art and media as platforms for advocacy and positive change.”

Would that “advocacy and positive change” be fostering the jihadists of Hamas, kowtowing to the terrorist puppet-masters in Tehran, or maybe perpetuating a dysfunctional leadership and incitement to hate in “Palestine”?

In past years, this Film Festival benefited from the support and collaboration of the US Embassy in Cairo, and the Fulbright Commission in Egypt. It would be interesting to know the Embassy’s position in regard to Hussein Fahmy’s political statement this year!?