Palestinian Actor Motaz Malhees Excluded from Oscars Ceremony by Trump Travel Ban
Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees has declared that he is unable to attend the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday due to former President Donald Trump's travel ban, which restricts entry for individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents. Malhees, 34, stars in the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab, a harrowing drama directed by Kaouther Ben Hania that recounts the tragic story of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in 2024 along with her family and emergency medical technicians attempting to rescue her.
Malhees Speaks Out on Social Media
In an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, Malhees expressed his disappointment and resolve. "Our film The Voice of Hind Rajab was nominated for an Academy Award. I had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear," he wrote. "But I will not be there. I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship. It hurts. But here is the truth: You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice."
He continued, emphasizing his pride and the film's enduring message: "I am Palestinian, and I stand with pride and dignity. My spirit will be with the Voice of Hind Rajab that night. Good luck to all of you. Our story is bigger than the barrier, and it will be heard." The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment on the matter.
Solidarity from the Film Community
Numerous fans and peers have shown support for Malhees. Oscar-winning British actor Riz Ahmed commented, "Your work in the film and the film itself are both incredible and will live on forever. Sending much love and respect." This outpouring of solidarity highlights the broader impact of the travel ban on artistic and cultural exchanges.
Film Details and Oscar Competition
The Voice of Hind Rajab is nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars, competing against entries from Brazil, Norway, Spain, and France. In the film, Malhees portrays Omar, a Red Crescent volunteer who remains on the phone with Hind Rajab during her final moments. The critically acclaimed production blends re-enactments with raw audio from the actual emergency call, featuring additional performances by Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlehel.
Background on Hind Rajab's Story
The film is based on the true events of 2024, when Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl, survived an initial attack by Israeli tanks on her family's car but was left stranded in a war zone. Over more than three hours, she pleaded for help in a recorded phone call, saying, "Please come to me, please come. I'm scared," as gunfire echoed in the background. Paramedics eventually arrived, but days later, their ambulance was found destroyed near Rajab's car, underscoring the tragedy's severity.
Director Kaouther Ben Hania explained the film's significance at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival: "A film like this had to be made because too often the news reminds us of facts we forget and sometimes shows us a world that has been denied the power to speak. The voice of this five-year-old girl, Hind, is ultimately that of Gaza asking for help." This poignant narrative aims to amplify voices often silenced in global discourse, resonating deeply amid current geopolitical tensions.
