Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania declined an award at a recent Berlin awards ceremony due to her objections over the recognition of an Israeli general at the same event. Ben Hania, best known for her work on “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, was selected as the recipient of the Most Valuable Film award at the Cinema for Peace gala, which coincided with the Berlinale. Despite the honor, she opted to forego accepting the prize during the ceremony.
In her address on stage, Ben Hania emphasized the gravity of the moment, stating that it was not a time for celebration but for assuming responsibility. She seized the opportunity to advocate for justice and accountability concerning the tragic death of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her life in Gaza in 2024, along with two paramedics who were also killed while attempting to aid the child.
“Justice entails accountability. Peace cannot exist without accountability,” Ben Hania asserted during her speech. She accused the Israeli military of being accountable for the fatalities of the child, her family, and the paramedics, condemning what she perceived as complicity by influential governments and organizations. Ben Hania affirmed that she refused to let these deaths be overshadowed by what she characterized as a superficial discourse on peace.
Furthermore, the filmmaker expressed her willingness to accept such accolades “with happiness” solely under the condition that peace is regarded as a legal and ethical imperative based on accountability.
The Cinema for Peace Gala is an annual event held in conjunction with the Berlin International Film Festival, recognizing films and individuals who address humanitarian and political concerns.