The film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is nominated for best international work at the Oscars. One of the main actors is not allowed to be there in Los Angeles – because he has a Palestinian passport.
March 16, 2026, 01:41March 16, 2026, 01:45
Motaz Malhees is one of the main actors in the film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” directed by the Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, a drama with documentary elements about the violent death of a five-year-old girl in the Gaza Strip. In it, Malhees plays an employee at an emergency call center in the West Bank.
The film received worldwide attention and was nominated as “Best International Film” at the most important industry gala for its design and social relevance (more about the film in the box below). In total, the work was nominated for over 30 awards worldwide.
Malhees was still welcome at the Bafta Awards in Great Britain, in contrast to the US version of the film awards.Image: www.imago-images.de
But Malhees is not allowed to be present at the award ceremony, as is the case, among others Mirror reported. The reason: The 34-year-old is Palestinian. And since the beginning of this year, the Trump administration has stopped allowing people with a Palestinian passport to enter the United States.
Trump had the entry requirements for numerous countries tightened; many citizens of countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria and Russia have strictly no longer received a visa since January 21, 2026. There are no known exceptions, including in the case of Malhees.
The actor commented in an interview and on Instagram. “It hurts,” said Malhees. He confirms that he is not allowed to travel to the USA because of his origins. “Every actor dreams of being at the Oscars. But I won’t be able to be there.” He is combative:
“You can block a pass. But not one vote.”
The voice of Hind Rajab
The film is about a five-year-old girl who was killed in an attack by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip on January 29, 2024. The girl fled Gaza City in a car with family members. The car was shot at. Everyone in the car died – only five-year-old Hind Rajab initially survived. The girl then endured an hour-long agony, during which she was able to keep in touch with the Palestinian Red Crescent aid organization by telephone. Approaching the car was dangerous as the Israeli army remained nearby. Nevertheless, two paramedics made their way. Only after the soldiers had left did other people get to the vehicle – they found the five-year-old dead, as well as the two paramedics and all family members. The incident caused global outrage and criticism of the Israeli army’s brutal actions. In the filming, real audio recordings of the girl, which were made in contact with the emergency call center during her agony in the car, were used. The work was supported by many international film stars such as Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
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