Gila Almagor Defends 'Nezar' Filmmakers Against Citizenship Revocation Calls

Renowned Israeli actress Gila Almagor has strongly condemned calls to revoke the citizenship of the creators of the controversial film 'Nezar,' including a statement from Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar indicating he would pursue such action. In a sharp interview with Walla!, Almagor, a recipient of the Israel Prize, warned that revoking citizenship would severely damage Israeli democracy and freedom of expression.

Almagor stated that the threats against the filmmakers are a dangerous crossing of a red line. "The threat to revoke the citizenship of the film's creators is shocking. Either we are a democracy or we are not," she declared emphatically. "You cannot take away people's freedom. They are not criminals."

While expressing curiosity about the film, Almagor admitted she is delaying watching it due to the current daily emotional toll of consuming news. "I'm already obsessively consuming news, and it's shortening my life expectancy, for sure," she shared.

She drew a stark parallel between the persecution of artists for their work and dictatorial regimes, stating, "Only in dictatorial regimes do they throw people in jail for artistic works that do not present the country in the 'right' light. God forbid!"

Almagor's intervention adds a prominent voice to the ongoing public and political debate surrounding the film 'Nezar,' which has sparked significant controversy.