A discriminatory boycott of Jewish Israeli film companies is being opposed by the biggest names in the business.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) warned earlier this week that artists in the film industry and their organisations in the UK would likely breach the UK’s Equality Act 2010 (EA) if they implement the “Film Workers for Palestine” boycott.

“Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for its employees, collaborators, and other stakeholders,” a spokesperson for the company told Variety on Thursday.

Speaking to Deadline, WBD confirmed that their policies “prohibit discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on race, religion, national origin or ancestry”.

“We believe a boycott of Israeli film institutions violates our policies,” the spokesperson added.

The “Film Workers Pledge to End Complicity” is an embargo against Israeli film institutions, including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, production companies, etc., with the notable exception of organisations comprised of Arab-Israeli individuals, i.e. non-Jewish.

Paramount immediately pushed back against the boycott after its launch in September, telling Deadline at the time:

“We do not agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace.

“The global entertainment industry should be encouraging artists to tell their stories and share their ideas with audiences throughout the world. We need more engagement and communication — not less.”

UKLFI wrote on 13 October 2025 to prominent studios and screen organisations operating in the UK, including Netflix, Disney, the BBC, ITV and Film4, explaining that implementing the boycott would likely breach the EA, invalidate insurance policies if not disclosed, and render a film ineligible for government funding or trigger clawback of finance already granted.

The EA prohibits direct or indirect discrimination against persons because of “protected characteristics”, which include race, religion and philosophical belief.

Jewish people are generally protected on the basis of both religion and ethnicity. Israelis are protected on the basis of nationality. Most Israelis and Jews are also protected on the basis of philosophical belief, which includes belief in the right of Jews to self-determination.

UKLFI pointed out in their letter that the exemption of Arab Israelis “strongly indicates that the Boycott’s operation is based not only on nationality but also on religion and ethnicity”.

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented: “Warner Bros. Discovery are correct in their analysis of this discriminatory boycott. We hope that other film companies will now follow suit in confirming their equality policies.”