Palestinian Actor-Director Mohammad Bakri, Who Sought to Bridge Divides, Dies at 72

Mohammad Bakri, the acclaimed Palestinian actor and director whose work became a poignant and often controversial exploration of Palestinian identity, exile, and resilience, died on Wednesday after suffering from heart and lung problems, his family announced. He was 72.

Bakri, who held Israeli citizenship and was born in the village of Bi’ina in northern Israel, forged a unique career that defied easy categorization. He moved fluently between Arabic and Hebrew, between Palestinian narratives and Israeli stages, becoming a seminal yet polarizing figure in both cultures.

A Career Defined by Artistic Courage and Political Fire

Bakri first gained widespread recognition in Israeli cinema during the 1980s. His powerful performances in films like the critically acclaimed Beyond the Walls (1984) broke ground by presenting complex, humanized Palestinian characters to Israeli audiences. As Professor Raya Morag of Hebrew University noted, “He broke stereotypes… and allowed someone Palestinian to be regarded as a hero in Israeli society.” He performed at Israel’s national theatre in Tel Aviv and studied at Tel Aviv University, establishing himself as a respected figure in the country’s cultural landscape.

His solo theatre work, particularly The Pessoptimist (1986), adapted from Emile Habiby’s classic novel, delved into the absurdist tragedy and intricate emotions of the Palestinian experience inside Israel, earning him further acclaim.

However, the trajectory of his career shifted dramatically with his 2003 documentary, Jenin, Jenin. The film, which he directed, presented harrowing testimonies from Palestinian residents of the Jenin refugee camp following a major Israeli military operation there in 2002. Unflinching in its portrayal of destruction and suffering, the film was immediately banned by the Israeli Film Ratings Board for being, in its view, a “libelous propaganda piece” that distorted facts and incited hatred.

The ban sparked a legal battle that lasted nearly two decades. Bakri was sued for defamation by Israeli soldiers, and in 2022, Israel’s Supreme Court ultimately upheld the ban and ordered him to pay damages. The film made him a hero to many Palestinians and critics of Israeli policy but transformed him into a pariah for much of the Israeli mainstream. “He never worked with mainstream Israeli cinema again,” Professor Morag observed. “He was loyal to himself despite all the pressures from inside and outside.”

A Final Act: Family and Oscar-Shortlisted Legacy

In his final years, Bakri returned to his roots in narrative acting alongside his sons, Adam and Saleh Bakri, both accomplished actors in their own right. Their collaboration in the 2025 film All That’s Left of You—a sweeping drama chronicling a Palestinian family’s journey over more than 76 years—proved to be a capstone to his career. The film has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, bringing Bakri’s work to a global audience at a time of heightened focus on the region.

His passing has prompted reflections on his complex legacy. He faced criticism from some Palestinians for his early collaborations with Israeli institutions, while facing condemnation and legal persecution in Israel for his later outspoken work.

His cousin, Rafic Bakri, told the Arabic news site Al-Jarmaq that Bakri was “a tenacious advocate of the Palestinians who used his works to express support for his people.” Using his nickname, he added, “I am certain that Abu Saleh will remain in the memory of Palestinian people everywhere and all people of the free world.”

Professor Morag summarized the duality of his path: “He was a very brave person… choosing not to be conformist in any way, and paying the price in both societies. He was a firm voice that did not change during the years.”

Mohammad Bakri is survived by his wife and his children, including his actor sons. His body of work stands as a testament to the power of art to confront painful histories, challenge stereotypes, and insist on the humanity of a people, regardless of the personal cost.

 

 

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