Director rejects Israel link before Oscars
Says Israel does not represent his Arab identity
The Arab co-director of an Israeli film nominated for an Academy Award has scandalized the Jewish state by saying that he does not see himself as representing the country at Sunday evening's awards ceremony.
The film "Ajami", directed by Israeli Arab Scandar Copti and his Jewish colleague Yaron Shani is a contender in the best foreign film category.
It portrays Jews and Arabs in the mixed Ajami district of south Tel Aviv, divided not only by religion but also by clan and ethnicity yet thrown together in the neighbourhood's criminal underworld.
"I am not the Israeli team and I am not representing Israel," Copti told Israel's Channel 2 TV in an interview from Hollywood Sunday ahead of the awards ceremony.
I am not the Israeli team and I am not representing Israel.I cannot represent a country that does not represent meScandar Copti
"I cannot represent a country that does not represent me," he added.
The remarks brought howls of outrage from cabinet ministers, legislators and a member of the Israeli Film Academy.
The remarks brought howls of outrage from cabinet ministers, legislators and a member of the Israeli Film Academy.
Israel's culture minister said she was saddened that a film-maker who accepted government funds for the movie was criticizing his country.
While Israeli media have been rooting vigorously for Ajami, Copti's remarks led Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz, of the rightwing Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) party to say that an Israeli win could give Copti a platform for views more suited to the militant Palestinian Hamas organisation.
"The person who directed the film with Israeli funding may cover himself with Hamas flags tonight. If the film wins an Oscar, this may be a Pyrrhic victory for the State of Israel," Israeli news site Y-Net quoted Hershkowitz as saying.
The person who directed the film with Israeli funding may cover himself with Hamas flags tonight. If the film wins an Oscar, this may be a Pyrrhic victory for the State of IsraelScience and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz