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Mohammad Bakri, Pioneering Palestinian-Israeli Actor and Director, Dies at 72

His career bridged Israeli and Palestinian stages, with a legacy shaped by the furor over the banned documentary Jenin, Jenin.

Overview

  • The Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya and his family confirmed he died on December 24 from heart and respiratory problems.
  • His funeral was held the same day in his birthplace, al-Bi’neh, in northern Israel, according to family announcements.
  • He rose to prominence with Beyond the Walls (1984) and worked across major Israeli theaters and international productions, including collaborations with Costa-Gavras and roles on television.
  • In 2002 he directed Jenin, Jenin, a documentary of Jenin residents’ testimonies that was banned in Israel and had its ban upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022 as defamatory.
  • Peers such as directors Uri Barbash and Sinai Peter lauded his artistry and resolve as he navigated boycotts and public disputes, and he is survived by six children.