IDFA Documentary Festival Opening Night Interrupted By Pro-Palestinian Protesters With “From The River To The Sea” Banner

deadline.com:

Leading members of the Israeli film community are accusing the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam of “allowing and applauding” a pro-Palestinian protest that interrupted IDFA’s opening night ceremony, which saw three activists take the stage with a banner emblazoned with the slogan, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.” IDFA’s artistic director, Orwa Nyrabia, was in the middle of welcoming remarks Wednesday night when the demonstrators took the stage.

Protesters shouted, “We stand up for Palestine! It’s a genocide! Ceasefire now, ceasefire now!” in reference to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza following the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens.

Some audience members initially hooted, but then many applauded. Nyrabia clapped after the protesters finished their chants and he also applauded as they left the stage.

Meanwhile at @idfa pic.twitter.com/r5SLQExBXC In a statement today, Nyrabia said he had not seen the wording on the protesters’ banner, a slogan the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish organizations have labeled antisemitic hate speech that advocates for Israel’s destruction.  “I apologize for not paying attention to the banner in the moment,” Nyrabia wrote. “I clapped to welcome freedom of speech, and not to welcome the slogan.