Netflix Sparks Outcry After Non-Renewal of ‘Palestinian Stories Collection’ Launched in 2021

Netflix has come under fire from several human rights groups over its non-renewal of 19 films that were part of its “Palestinian Stories” collection launched in October of 2021.

These films will soon exit the service because the rights acquired by Netflix as part of its licensing deal will end at the end of the month. This standard content licensing practice is also the reason why “Friends” is no longer available in the U.S. or Mr. Robot” is no longer available in Arabic countries.

More from Variety

• 'Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft' Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix

• 'Queer Eye': Bobby Berk's Replacement Jeremiah Brent Is Front and Center in Season 9 First Look

• In the Endearing 'Simone Biles Rising' Part 2, the Olympian Takes on Paris and Pushes Through Injuries: TV Review

The streamer still has titles by Palestinian creators on its service.

“We are deeply concerned by Netflix’s decision to delete at least 19 films by Palestinian filmmakers or about Palestinian stories from your platform last week” human rights organization Freedom Forward said in a letter to the streamer posted on their website.

Freedom Forward noted that the “Palestinian Stories” page now shows only one film that is available for viewing. “Netflix has deleted almost all of its Palestinian films and has failed to explain why, despite global outcry from thousands of people via social media,” the org. added.

The titles for which rights have expired include Rani Massalha’s “Giraffada,” Jessica Habie’s “Mars at Sunrise,” and Elia Souleiman’s “Chronicle of a Disappearance.”

“We launched this licensed collection of films in 2021 for three years,” Netflix said in a terse statement.

“Those licenses have now expired. As always we continue to invest in a wide variety of quality films and TV shows to meet our members’ needs, and celebrate voices from around the world,” the streaming giant added.

The Freedom Forward letter is also signed by Arab American Action Network, Council on American Islamic Relations, Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative, National Network for Arab American Communities and U.S. Palestinian Community Network, among many others.

Best of Variety

• The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Al Pacino to Lisa Marie Presley

• New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 

• From Taylor and Travis to Oasis: The Best Couples Costumes to Wear This Halloween

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.