Indian cinema veterans demand cancelation of Israel film Festival in Mumbai

Indian cinema veterans Naseeruddin Shah, Anant Patwardhan and others have demanded cancelation of Israel Film Festival in Mumbai, petitioning National Film development Corporation. They have argued that the festival should not be held in view of the atrocities committed by Israel upon the civilians in Palestine. The Film Festival is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on August 21-22, 2024 at the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC).

Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge the differences and go for ceasefire in Palestine, and urged Hamas to actively consider doing the same. The Israel-Palestine tension has flared up in recent days after Hamas political bureau chief Haniyen was killed in Iran capital Tehran. Iran points to Israel for the killing while Israel keeps silence. Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has been launching retaliatory rockets into Israel territory.