Director of documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab refuses to accept film award in Berlin At the Cinema for Peace gala, Kaouther Ben Hania left her trophy behind in protest against the gala providing "political cover" for genocide by "reframing mass civilian killing as defense" & "denigrating protesters.” "The Israeli army killed Hind Rajab; killed her family; killed the two paramedics who came to save her, with the complicity of the world's most powerful governments & institutions | "I refuse to let their deaths become a backdrop for a polite speech about peace.” "Peace is not a perfume sprayed over violence, so power can feel refined & feel comfortable, & cinema is not image- laundering." She said she would return to accept the award "when peace is rooted in accountability for genocide." Drop Site News 18 Feb 2026 (abridged)