Netflix has clarified that it is not deleting Palestinian films but rather removing the “Palestine Stories” collection due to the expiration of its three-year licensing agreement. The streaming platform emphasizes that it continues to support diverse storytelling and invests in films and TV shows from around the world.
Netflix recently faced criticism after announcing it would remove a selection of Palestinian films, known as the Palestine Stories collection, from its streaming platform. The collection featured the works of directors Annemarie Jacir, Mai Masri, Mahdi Fleifel, Susan Youssef, May Odeh, and Farah Nabulsi, among others, and was described as “a tribute to the creativity and passion of the Arab film industry”. The removal sparked controversy as human rights groups and activists voiced concerns about marginalizing Palestinian voices during a sensitive time.
However, Netflix clarified that it is removing the films because their three-year licensing agreement, established in October 2021, has ended. According to Netflix, such licensing expirations are routine and are common across its global platform.
Freedom Forward, a human rights organization, has been one of the primary voices challenging Netflix’s decision. The group circulated an open letter and a petition urging Netflix to explain the removal, requesting that the company extend the licenses to keep the films accessible.
Sunjeev Bery, the executive director of Freedom Forward, argued that while licensing issues may play a role, Netflix, as a large corporation, could renew these licenses if it prioritized sharing Palestinian narratives.
While Netflix still offers a few Palestinian titles, such as the documentary Ibrahim: A Fate to Define, most of the collection is no longer available. The company stressed its ongoing commitment to offering a diverse range of global stories, yet the Palestine Stories removal has led to calls for greater transparency and advocacy for underrepresented communities on streaming platforms. Netflix has not responded to a question on whether it would reconsider renewing the licenses for the 19 films if the rights were available for a second term.
