Oscar-Nominated Palestinian Actor Blocked from Academy Awards by Travel Restrictions

A Palestinian actor starring in an Oscar-nominated film says he cannot attend this weekend's Academy Awards ceremony due to Trump administration travel restrictions. Motaz Malhees appears in "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which is nominated for best international feature film.

A Palestinian actor featured in an Academy Award-nominated film announced Friday that he will miss this weekend’s Oscars ceremony due to current U.S. travel restrictions affecting Palestinian citizens.

Motaz Malhees stars in “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which earned a nomination for best international feature film. The movie tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli military forces in Gaza during 2024.

In his role, Malhees portrays a call center worker who tries to assist the young girl. However, he revealed on social media that he cannot travel to the United States for the ceremony.

“I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” Malhees posted on Instagram, expressing that “it hurts” to miss the prestigious event.

The travel restrictions stem from a December proclamation by President Donald Trump that limits entry for individuals carrying Palestinian Authority travel documents. Trump stated he had “determined to fully restrict and limit the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.”

Officials cited security concerns as the reason for the entry restrictions affecting certain countries.

The State Department has not yet provided a response regarding the actor’s situation.

The film draws from a tragic real-life incident where five members of Rajab’s family and two ambulance workers attempting a rescue were also killed by Israeli gunfire. Israeli authorities have indicated the incident remains under investigation.