Netflix recently released Farha, a Jordanian film that dangerously distorts history by portraying Israeli soldiers committing unspeakable crimes against a Palestinian family during Israel’s War of Independence in 1948.
Despite being promoted as “inspired by true events,” the film’s shocking plot – where soldiers allegedly murder an entire family and leave a baby to die – has no historical basis.
These events, depicted as fact, promote an antisemitic “blood libel” against Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) and harmfully equate Israel’s actions to those of the Nazis.
I just wrote a @theactionnet letter: Netflix: Remove the Antisemitic Blood Libel Film “Farha”.
This movie illustrates one of the most insidious elements of exterminationist antisemitism as practiced by the Nazis, namely, to project onto the Jews the very traits of those who…
— Richard Landes (@richard_landes) January 8, 2024
While some may see Farha as a perspective on the Nakba (the Palestinian term for Israel’s founding), the narrative goes far beyond personal storytelling. By inventing atrocities and dehumanizing Israeli soldiers as sadistic monsters, Farha crosses into dangerous territory.
The film’s intentional distortion perpetuates one of the oldest forms of antisemitic propaganda, portraying Jews as inhuman and capable of heinous acts. This narrative, amplified by Netflix’s massive platform, directly incites hatred and feeds global antisemitism, risking further division and violence.
The director of the movie "Farha" admit that it's a work of fiction pic.twitter.com/mtr5qHX7jJ
— Adin – עדין (@AdinHaykin1) December 4, 2022
Jewish and pro-Israel communities, as well as allies of historical truth, are demanding Netflix reconsider its decision to stream this incendiary film.
United Kingdom Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) even sent a formal request, arguing that Farha contravenes UK laws on incitement and racial hatred, while many supporters worldwide have already canceled their subscriptions in protest.
It’s time to take a stand against this baseless defamation and prevent the spread of antisemitic tropes.