Netflix launched a "Palestinian Stories" film collection on its streaming service Wednesday. Subscribers will find 32 one-sided films that incite against IDF soldiers and the state of Israel and ignore Palestinian terrorism, with additional films added later on.
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The films offer a one-sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and include scenes depicting interrogation by Israeli security officials and life in a refugee camp.
In its announcement, Netflix quoted Palestinian director May Odeh, whose film "The Crossing" appears in the category, as saying: "I'm glad to finally have alternative Palestinian films accessible to wide audiences through Netflix. We all in the Palestinian film industry have been eager to share our narrative with the world through our authentic creative productions as an alternative to news reporting. I can't thank the team at Netflix and Front Row enough for the effort to make this happen."
Matan Peleg, the director of right-wing watchdog group Im Tirzu, suggested, "If Netflix wants to tell the Palestinian story, it should start by contacting the thousands of bereaved families who were impacted as a result of the murderous Palestinian terrorism. Netflix is following in the path of Ben & Jerry's [which announced plans to stop selling ice cream in Judea and Samaria] in a pathetic and shallow attempt to brainwash hundreds of millions of people. The result will be exactly the same as that of Ben & Jerry's – huge financial losses."
He continued: "Netflix isn't launching a category for the atrocities in Syria, where nearly one million people died over the last 10 years, or about the crimes in China. Israel is the only great criminal. We intend to call on the Israeli public and the Israel-supporting public around the world to boycott the company. We will not turn the other cheek. Those who hurt us will get hurt," he said.
Peleg offered the company the following advice: "Instead of creating vapid reality content alongside progressive content, maybe Netflix should try to present what is really happening in the Middle East. For shame!"
In a statement, the streaming service responded to the criticism by saying, "Netflix believes in artistic freedom and continuously invests in authentic stories from around the world. The collection of Palestinian stories will showcase the depth and variety of the Palestinian experience and explore people's lives, dreams, families, friendships, and love.
"Since its launch, Netflix has invested in dozens of Israeli TV shows and films and recently issued an official statement on Twitter and Instagram delineating its opposition to antisemitism in all its forms, including the worrying increase in hate crimes and Holocaust denial," Netflix said.
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