\u201cThe Voice of Hind Rajab,\u201d a heartbreaking retelling of the efforts to save a 6-year-old Palestinian girl amid Israel\u2019s attacks on Gaza, will be honored at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday \u2014 without one of its star players. <\/p>\n
Actor Motaz Malhees, who stars in the film as Red Crescent dispatcher Omar, confirmed Thursday<\/a> that he will be absent from the festivities because of President Trump\u2019s travel ban against Palestinians. \u201cI had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear,\u201d Malhees said on Instagram, \u201cbut I will not be there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n Trump announced his widened travel ban in December<\/a>, noting his decision to \u201cfully restrict and limit the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority,\u201d along with people from countries including South Sudan and Syria. The president issued the order months after he presented his 20-point peace plan for the Gaza strip<\/a> \u2014 efforts that some Palestinians feel have been now brushed aside amid U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran.<\/p>\n Malhees said in his post that the restriction \u201churts\u201d but offered his followers and supporters a kernel of truth: \u201cYou can block a passport. You cannot block a voice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Voice of Hind Rajab,\u201d directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania,<\/a> is nominated in the international feature category. The film is set in a Red Crescent call center in Ramallah and centers the 70-minute phone recording of Hind\u2019s pleas for help as she waits with her family in a trapped car for emergency responders. She and two medics dispatched to her location were killed in February 2024<\/a> in Israeli attacks in Gaza. <\/p>\n The film earned the grand jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. <\/p>\n Though unable to celebrate the film at the Oscars on Sunday, Malhees said he stands \u201cwith pride and dignity\u201d and that his \u201cspirit will be with the Voice of Hind Rajab that night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n A representative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not immediately respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n As Malhees publicized his absence, fellow stars including Oscar winner Riz Ahmed and Emmy-nominated \u201cSuccession\u201d star Arian Moayed rallied in support. <\/p>\n \u201cYour work in the film and the film itself are both incredible and will live on forever,\u201d Ahmed commented<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cYou are brilliant, azizam,\u201d Moayed replied<\/a> to Malhees. \u201cAnd this is heartbreaking and unjust.\u201d<\/p>\n