Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Israeli film boycott pledge

Warner Bros. Discovery said Thursday that a growing pledge to avoid working with Israeli film institutions would likely violate the company’s internal anti‑discrimination policies, making it the second major Hollywood studio to publicly reject the initiative. The statement, delivered by a company spokesperson, said Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment and that its policies prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or ancestry.

The pledge, organized by a group called Film Workers for Palestine and circulated in early September, asks signatories to refuse to screen films at, appear at, or otherwise collaborate with festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies the group deems complicit in human rights abuses in Gaza. Film Workers for Palestine has said complicity includes whitewashing or justifying alleged abuses, or partnering with the government accused of committing them. The group has posted guidance stating the call targets institutions rather than individuals and applies different, context‑sensitive guidelines for Israeli citizens of Palestinian heritage.