Mohammad Bakri dies

Mohammad and Saleh Bakri as father and son in Wajib Photo: New Wave Films

Palestinian actor and director Mohammad Bakri died in northern Israel on December 24 at the age of 72.

Mohammad Bakri at a screening of "Zahara" at the Multaka club in Be'er Sheva in 2010 Photo: Eman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The filmmaker's career spanned more than 40 years was reported locally as suffering from heart and lung problems. His family broke the news on Instagram, saying: "With profound sorrow and grief, we announce the passing of our beloved father, the actor Mohammad Bakri."

Bakri's career included roles in Homeland and the Oscar-nominated Beyond The Walls, most recently, he featured in Cherien Dabis' All That's Left Of You, alongside his sons Saleh and Adam, which has been shortlisted for the International Feature Oscar.

A champion of the Palestinian cause as a director, he found international fame for Jenin, Jenin, which documented an Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank in 2002. The film - which was banned by Israel - chronicled the bombardment of the city. He fought a long legal battle over the ban, but Israel's Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 2022.

Other notable acting roles included in Homeland, The Cairo Conspiracy and, alongside his son Saleh, in Annemarie Jacir's father and son drama Wajib.

Speaking to us about the pair of them acting together at the time of the film's release, Jacir said: "What was really sweet to me was how much Mohammad respected and loved Saleh in his work and admired him as a father."

Responding to news of his death, Dabis wrote on Instagram: "I loved him so much and am so grateful to have known him. This is such a painful loss. My deepest condolences and all my love to your whole family. He will forever be in our hearts."

Bakri is survived by his wife Leila and six children including Saleh, Adam and Ziad, who is also an actor.