Motaz Malhees: ‘The Voice’ Star on Oscars Travel Ban 2026

Motaz Malhees, the lead actor in the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab, will not be able to attend this Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. The heartbreaking reason? A U.S. Travel ban stemming from his Palestinian citizenship, a restriction imposed by President Donald Trump. Malhees shared the news Thursday via Instagram, a message that quickly resonated across social media and sparked renewed discussion about the intersection of art, politics, and access.

The film itself, directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, is a powerful docudrama that dramatizes the final hours of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza City in January 2024 whereas fleeing with her family. The Voice of Hind Rajab utilizes actual audio recordings from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s first responders, adding a layer of raw immediacy to the already devastating story. Malhees portrays Omar Alqam, the emergency operator who received Hind’s desperate call for aid.

A Story Born From Tragedy, Amplified by Absence

Malhees’s Instagram post, translated from Arabic, reads in part, “You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice.” The sentiment encapsulates the film’s core message: even in the face of unimaginable loss and political barriers, the stories of those affected must be heard. The actor’s inability to attend the Oscars underscores that message in a particularly poignant way. As he wrote, “I am Palestinian, and I stand with pride, and dignity. My spirit will be with ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ that night.”

The travel ban, expanded by President Trump in January 2024, prevents nationals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the United States, alongside citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Screen Daily reports that Malhees was born in Jenin, Palestine, and is currently based in London.

Beyond the Oscars: Malhees’s Rising Profile

While The Voice of Hind Rajab has brought Malhees international attention, he is already a working actor with a growing body of work. He is currently filming a role in Channel 4’s upcoming drama series, The Siege, alongside established British actors David Morrissey and Danny Dyer. Esquire UK recently profiled the actor, detailing his initial apprehension about taking on the role in The Voice of Hind Rajab given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He described being “scared” when he first learned the details of the project, acknowledging the weight of representing such a tragic event.

Malhees’s commitment to the project, despite the personal cost, speaks to the film’s power and its potential to raise awareness about the human impact of the conflict. The film garnered significant acclaim at the Venice Film Festival last autumn, receiving a record-breaking 23-minute standing ovation and winning the Grand Jury Prize. The film’s success has prompted questions about the role of art in the face of ongoing tragedy, and how much “noise” is required to elicit meaningful action.

The Film’s Genesis and Impact

The Voice of Hind Rajab isn’t a traditional documentary. Director Kaouther Ben Hania employs a hybrid approach, blending documentary elements with fictionalized scenes to recreate the events surrounding Hind Rajab’s death. The film centers on the experiences of the Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers who desperately tried to reach Hind and her family as they were trapped under fire. The use of actual audio recordings from the Red Crescent adds a layer of authenticity and emotional weight to the narrative. Variety notes the film’s nomination for Best International Feature at the Oscars.

The story of Hind Rajab first gained widespread attention in January 2024, when details of her death emerged through reports from journalists and aid organizations. The circumstances surrounding her death – trapped in a car with her mother and other family members, repeatedly pleading for help – sparked outrage and condemnation. Ben Hania’s film aims to amplify Hind’s story and shed light on the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

What’s Next for The Voice of Hind Rajab and its Cast?

While Malhees will be absent from the red carpet, the film will still be represented at the Oscars by other members of the cast and crew, including those holding dual citizenship allowing them entry into the United States. The nomination itself is a significant achievement, bringing much-needed attention to the film and the story it tells.

Beyond the Oscars, Malhees is focused on completing his work on The Siege for Channel 4. The series, based on Ben Macintyre’s book, is expected to air later in 2026. The success of The Voice of Hind Rajab is likely to open doors for Malhees, potentially leading to further opportunities in international film and television. The film’s continued festival run and potential distribution deals will also play a role in expanding its reach and impact. The film serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, and a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to tragedy.