Hiba Abouk (ex of Achraf Hakimi) "fired" from a series in France for defending Palestine

In an interview given to the EFE agency a few days ago, the 38-year-old actress reveals the behind-the-scenes of this dismissal. She explains that she was "removed" from the project shortly after speaking out for the first time on the conflict. She later learned that the production and directing team were of the Jewish faith.

Far from regretting this loss, she claims to be pleased with it, believing that those who close the door to her for this reason are "doing her a favor". She points to a real difference between Spain and France, referring to the existence in France of a "very well-established Jewish lobby in the film industry" that, according to her, does not exist on the other side of the Pyrenees.

"I forget the actress that I am"

For Hiba Abouk, the urgency of the situation in Gaza, which she describes as "genocide", requires radical choices. She believes it is impossible to "look the other way" and says she is ready to sacrifice her career for her convictions. "From the moment I make this decision, I forget the actress that I am," she assures, deploring the lack of courage of those who do not dare to speak out for fear of professional retaliation.

This partial break with the French milieu is accompanied by a desire to turn to Arab cinema. Of Tunisian origin, she wishes to use her mastery of the language to explore new horizons, having already filmed a movie with director Dhaffer L’Abidine. She takes the opportunity to criticize the persistent stereotypes in France, where she believes that "racism" still too often confines actors of Maghrebi origin to the roles of delinquents, unlike a Spain that she finds more open to the diversity of roles.