TEL AVIV, Israel — Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian director and actor who fearlessly explored Palestinian identity and culture through film and theater, died Wednesday, his family announced. He was 72 years old.
A Polarizing Figure Who Bridged Cultural Divides
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Bakri’s work, particularly his controversial documentary “Jenin, Jenin,” sparked debate and legal battles while offering a rare Palestinian perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Bakri was best known for directing the 2003 documentary “Jenin, Jenin,” which focused on the aftermath of an Israeli military operation in the West Bank.
- He acted in both Arabic and Hebrew, appearing in Israeli films and at Israel’s national theater in Tel Aviv.
- His 1986 one-man show, “The Pessoptimist,” explored the complexities of dual Israeli-Palestinian identity.
- Bakri faced a decades-long legal battle in Israel over “Jenin, Jenin,” with the Supreme Court ultimately upholding a ban on the film.
Bakri’s career was defined by a willingness to challenge perceptions and portray the Palestinian experience with nuance and honesty. He sought to humanize Palestinian identity, even within Israeli society, a pursuit that often came at a personal cost. He was a tenacious advocate for his people, using his art to express support and give voice to their stories.
“Jenin, Jenin” and Its Aftermath
What was the controversy surrounding “Jenin, Jenin”? The 2003 documentary, detailing the events following an Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank city of Jenin during the second Palestinian intifada, was banned in Israel and became the subject of nearly two decades of court cases. The film was accused of being unbalanced and inciting hatred, leading to a defamation lawsuit.
In 2022, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld the ban on “Jenin, Jenin,” ruling that it defamed Israeli soldiers and ordering Bakri to pay tens of thousands of dollars in damages to an Israeli military officer. Raya Morag, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem specializing in cinema and trauma, explained that the film marked a turning point in Bakri’s career, polarizing him within Israel and effectively ending his work with mainstream Israeli cinema.
“He was loyal to himself despite all the pressures from inside and outside,” Morag said. “He was a firm voice that did not change during the years.”
Early Career and Bridging Cultural Gaps
Born in northern Israel and holding Israeli citizenship, Bakri began his artistic journey in the 1980s, appearing in mainstream Israeli films that aimed to humanize Palestinian characters. He played roles in films like “Beyond the Walls,” a seminal work about the experiences of incarcerated Israelis and Palestinians. Morag noted that Bakri “broke stereotypes about how Israelis looked at Palestinians, and allowing someone Palestinian to be regarded as a hero in Israeli society.”
Bakri’s talents extended to the stage, where his 1986 one-man show, “The Pessoptimist,” based on the writings of Palestinian author Emile Habiby, delved into the intricate emotions of someone navigating both Israeli and Palestinian identities. He also acted in Hebrew, showcasing his versatility and commitment to cross-cultural dialogue.
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images file
More recently, Bakri appeared in the 2025 film “All That’s Left of You,” a drama spanning over 76 years of a Palestinian family’s history, alongside his sons, Adam and Saleh Bakri, who are also actors. The film has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards’ best international feature film category.
Bakri’s family stated that he died Wednesday after battling heart and lung problems. His cousin, Rafic, told the Arabic news site Al-Jarmaq that Bakri will be remembered as a dedicated advocate for the Palestinian people.
“I am certain that Abu Saleh will remain in the memory of Palestinian people everywhere and all people of the free world,” Rafic said, using Bakri’s nickname.
