Palestinian Actor Says US Travel Ban Prevents Oscar Ceremony Attendance

In Brief

Motaz Malhees, star of Oscar-nominated film, says US travel ban bars him from attending the ceremony.

Key Facts

• Motaz Malhees is a Palestinian actor starring in an Oscar-nominated film.
• Malhees says a travel ban imposed by Donald Trump is preventing his attendance at the Academy Awards.
• The film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024.
• Malhees stated, ‘You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice.’
• Spanish cinema has entered a more diverse era, according to film experts.

What Happened

Motaz Malhees, a Palestinian actor in the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab, says he is unable to attend the Academy Awards due to a US travel ban.

Why It Matters

The reported travel restriction highlights ongoing issues related to international mobility for artists and the impact of US policy on cultural participation at major global events.

What's Next

The Academy Awards ceremony will proceed without Malhees's attendance. Further responses from organizers or US authorities have not been reported in the provided sources.