Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees cannot attend this weekend’s Academy Awards due to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration, which restricts US entry for individuals using Palestinian Authority-issued documents.
The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated film about a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, features Malhees as the call center operator who attempts to help her. The movie has been shortlisted for best international feature at this year’s Academy Awards.
In a statement on Instagram, Malhees expressed his disappointment: “I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship. It hurts that I won’t be able to attend the Oscars.” This travel restriction was implemented by President Donald Trump in December and became effective from January 1st according to the State Department’s website.
In addition to Malhees, other members of the Palestinian cast have US passports or visas, allowing them entry into the United States. However, Malhees is limited due to his sole reliance on a Palestinian passport for travel.
The film was inspired by an incident where five family members and two ambulance workers who tried to save the girl were also killed by Israeli forces. Israel maintains that their response in this case was justified under review. Trump has further attempted to deport foreign voices supporting Palestine, with one immigration judge ordering the release of Leqaa Kordia after she spent over a year in detention.
Malhees feels personally affected by these travel restrictions as he is part of an international cast who cannot attend what they perceive as an industry event celebrating their work. His inability to attend highlights the broader issue of Palestinian diaspora and supporters being barred from key American cultural platforms.