Brussels, 15 January 2026
Last night, the European Parliament hosted a high-profile impact screening of the Academy Awards shortlisted feature film The Voice of Hind Rajab, at which speakers urged EU policymakers to take immediate steps to restore, increase, and sustain essential medical humanitarian aid, to urgently save Gazan children’s lives.
The film screening took place amid growing scrutiny of and expectations on the European Union and other international democratic powers and institutions with regard to their obligations under international humanitarian law for Palestinian citizens, and use of the tools and resources at their disposal to apply pressure on Israel.
Hosting MEP Evin Incir MEP co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights and the Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Palestine, became the first politician to publicly add her name to an open letter calling on world leaders to take action, saying: “We live in a time where international law is more important than ever. I am ashamed of how willingly some in this Parliament close their eyes – listen to a child’s voice, a mother’s heart, and frontline aid workers that are living with pain, risk and death every day. We who believe in international law and that it also includes Palestinian rights must continue working, we are many who care and who will never let our voices be silenced.”
The Voice of Hind Rajab dramatically retells the story of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who, on 29 January 2024, was killed along with family members in their car by the Israeli military. For more than three hours, PRSC rescuers waited for a green light from the Israeli authorities to conduct their rescue, only to also be killed by Israeli forces after their mission was finally approved.
At least 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed since October 2023. With The Voice of Hind Rajab, Hind’s story has come to represent the systemic denial of medical access to Gaza that continues to cost children their lives and futures.
The EU screening follows earlier screenings for the US Congress, UN and UK Parliament. These collectively have made The Voice of Hind Rajab a key focal point for an international movement demanding concrete political and humanitarian action to protect children’s rights and ensure medical access to Palestine.
Since its record-breaking Venice Film Festival premiere in September 2025, The Voice of Hind Rajab has supported a call for Palestine accountability and action, bringing together creative artists, humanitarian organisations, medical professionals, policy professionals, and public figures to demand protected medical corridors into Gaza. This has included a global open letter signed by 67 individuals and organisations, including Brian Eno, Joaquin Phoenix, Yorgos Lanthimos, Susan Sarandon, Rooney Mara.
At the European Parliament, speakers and attendees, including actor Motzaz Malhees and filmmakers Nadim Cheikhrouha and Odessa Rae, pressed EU leaders to act on the letter’s clearly defined demands under international humanitarian law. These include immediate, unconditional, and sustained opening of humanitarian and medical corridors into Gaza, protection of medical personnel, facilities, and equipment, release of arbitrarily detained medical and humanitarian workers, and independent investigation into the denial of medical care and attacks on health services.
Addressing the Parliament through a video message, Wesam Hamada, mother of Hind Rajab, said: “Death did not kill Hind alone. It shattered an entire generation’s trust in the world. A generation that now asks: ‘If international law does not protect us, what will? And if the adults remain silent when we cry, who will speak on our behalf?’”
Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees said: “Did the EU stop aid getting into Gaza? No, but did they act to get it there? Also no.”
Oxfam Humanitarian Expert Agnes Bertrand-Sanz said: “My colleagues on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank are painfully feeling powerless. Multiple EU NGOs are now barred from working in Palestine. Barring us from working in Palestine is a blow to the EU as we are partners. The EU must react. Also because Palestine is a microcosm for the future of the international world order. The lack of accountability must be addressed.”
War Child Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor Tiina Vahtras said: “With the ceasefire there is a feeling that the worst has passed, but we know this isn’t true. The situation remains extremely dire and fragile on the ground. We are advocating for the EU to conduct a thorough review of compliance with the human rights clause of their cooperation agreement with Israel. The EU should also consider partial suspension of the agreement as suggested by the President of the European Commission last September.”
EU Council Conclusions on 18 December 2025 reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to international law and to contributing all efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. These also stressed the need for safe and unimpeded delivery and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza, and the need for UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to be able to work independently and impartially, and called for essential items including medical items, to be allowed into Gaza.
The European Parliament screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab was convened in collaboration with the film’s producers, Willa, and impact producers Rania Batrice, Fourth Act and Think-Film Impact Production. The Belgian theatrical release started in November 2025, led by Cineart, while the 2026 European release continues in January across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Benelux, and the Nordics, followed by February releases in Austria and Portugal, and debuts in the Czech Republic and Lithuania in March.
Press contact: Mercy Brewer, mercy.brewer@tfip.org
