Ziad Doeuiri Released, Passports Returned and No Charges Filed Against Him

The humiliating fiasco continues, after the haphazard, last minute “ban” of Wonder Woman after it was already approved, Lebanese authorities have shot themselves in the foot again, with the arrest of renowned Lebanese-French director after being showered with accolades at the Venice Film Festival for his new movie, “The Insult”.

Doueiri was released, with no charges, and his passports are being returned to him today.

The fishiest thing about this, is the dissociative identity disorder Lebanon’s government seems to be suffering from. After the case about part of his movie “The Attack” was filmed in Israel, was closed, and Doeuiri came and left Lebanon on several occasions since then, it’s odd they chose to arrest him this time around.

It’s especially odd since Lebanon’s cabinet is choosing his movie as Lebanon’s contribution to the Oscars this year. Choose an artist’s work to represent you at the Oscars, then arrest him when he comes to attend the premiere of said movie in his home country. Not humiliating at all…

Personally, I think it’s obvious. The oppressive groups that hide behind the word “boycott”, when in reality they just want to forcibly ban and intimidate, only rise up when it’s something popular. How many artists have been to Israel, come here too? But it’s just the famous stuff, like Tomorrowland or Tiesto, that gets their panties up in a bunch.

I guess after Ziad’s latest movie did well, they just had to try and overshadow it, like the disgusting article in Al Akhbar vilifying him and accusing him of “collaborating with the enemy” a few days ago, following another failed attempt to smear him back in June.

It’s sad and desperate, that all these self-proclaimed “defenders” of the Arab and Palestinian cause can do is bully artists, movies and regular citizens. Instead of actually doing something that helps the cause, not make them and us a laughing stock in front of the rest of the world.

Congratulations Ziad, and I’m sorry you had to go through this ordeal for absolutely no reason. The Attack movie was pro the Palestinian cause, and against Zionism, but how would any of us know that, given we never got to see it here? He did give prior warning to authorities in Lebanon. The Palestinian lead, Kamal El Bacha, won the Volpi Cup for best actor for his 2017 performance too. The 2012 movie, if anything, helped the struggle against Zionism, not helped it. But, try getting that through the thick skulls of the people clamoring and clapping for bullying, censorship and bans…

When will this end? Probably not anytime soon. We’re just glad this scandal is over now, and can’t wait to watch The Insult!