Israeli Actress Criticizes Hollywood for 'Silencing Artists' Supporting Jewish State
Noa Cohen argues that boycotting Israeli film institutions closes necessary conversations.
Israeli actress Noa Cohen has criticized Hollywood stars for allegedly silencing artists who support the Jewish state, stating that such actions close off crucial dialogue. Cohen's remarks, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, come as a film she stars in, "Our Loves," a drama depicting the Oct. 7 terror attacks, faces criticism.
The 24-year-old actress, who reportedly knew victims of the Hamas attacks, expressed dismay at celebrity-driven boycotts of Israeli film institutions. "Silencing artists because of government policies closes conversation. And don’t we need to keep that open?" Cohen told The Hollywood Reporter.
In 2025, over 1,000 figures in the film industry, including Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, signed a pledge to boycott institutions deemed complicit in actions against Palestinians. Cohen pushed back against the notion that films like "Our Loves" erase Palestinian people, advocating instead for open-mindedness.
"I mean, you don’t have to agree with a government to hear the stories of its people," Cohen said.
Cohen also noted that for many, the grieving process has been ongoing, particularly for those affected by the Oct. 7 attacks. "You couldn’t really grieve until all the hostages were home," she said. "So really we’re not even at the end of the first year of grieving. And there will be many more years."
This is not the first time Cohen has faced backlash related to her identity and work. Her role as the Virgin Mary in Netflix's 2024 film "Mary" drew criticism from anti-Israel groups who asserted that the historical figure was Palestinian. The film's director, D.J. Caruso, defended the casting by stating it was important for authenticity to cast actors from Israel for the main roles.
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) supported Cohen's stance, condemning the targeting of Israeli artists and institutions. "There is a clear difference between criticizing Israel's government policies and targeting Israeli artists because of their faith or national origin," the IAC stated. "Boycotting Israeli artists in the name of artistic freedom is disingenuous, wrong, and a clear act of antisemitism."